What Should be Done With Partial Cruciate Ligament Injuries?
This is a question that can be asked at two times: Before surgery and during surgery. As we have become increasingly aware of partial CCL injuries being a cause for waxing/waning lameness in dogs, and as we have become more adept at making this diagnosis (cranial drawer sign only with the knee in flexion; subtle radiographic changes; positive tibial compression test, positive joint tap, clinical suspicion even in the absence of any objective evidence), we must decide what the appropriate treatment is. It is quite common for such patients to be treated with rest, NSAIDs, and neutraceuticals, often for prolonged periods. Since there is no reporting in veterinary medicine there are no data to show whether, and how many dogs so managed eventually recover and have resolution of their lameness. My impression is that most dogs do not recover, and in fact progress over time until they are either markedly affected or suffer an acute lameness in conjunction with either rupture of the last remnan
