[Trdma-l] Fw: [SLEDDOG-L] Technique Used in Human Ankle Injuries Modified to Treat Dogs' Knees

[Tom McGrane]

> Subject: Technique Used in Human Ankle Injuries Modified to Treat
> Dogs' Knees
>
> June 16,
> 2008
> Contact:   Kelsey Jackson
>
>                              Information Specialist
>
>                              (573) 882-8353
>
> 
> JacksonKN at missouri.edu<mailto:JacksonKN at missouri.edu>
>
> Technique Used in Human Ankle Injuries Modified to Treat Dogs' Knees
> MU veterinary clinician-scientist develops a minimally invasive
> method to treat torn ligaments
>
> COLUMBIA, Mo. - A common sports injury in human knees is even more
> common in dogs. Each year, more than one million dogs suffer from
> cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficiency, which is comparable to
> the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in humans. The common
> method of treatment by many veterinary surgeons involves cutting
> the tibia bone to stabilize the CCL-deficient knee in these dogs.
> Now, a new minimally invasive technique with less severe
> complications than previous methods has been developed by a
> University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine researcher.
>
> Unlike humans, CCL injuries in dogs typically do not occur because
> of a single trauma to the knee but are the result of a degenerative
> process that leads to early and progressive arthritis. For this
> reason, and the unique biomechanics of the canine knee, techniques
> used to repair the injury in humans do not work well for dogs.  The
> new technique, known as Tightrope CCL, is modified from a technique
> used in human ankles and allows placement of a device that
> stabilizes the CCL-deficient knee through bone tunnels drilled
> using very small incisions. MU veterinarian James Cook worked with
> Arthrex Inc. from Naples, Fla., to develop and test the Tightrope
> device for dogs.
>
> "Other current techniques require major surgery that involve
> cutting the bone, which can potentially lead to severe
> complications, such as fracture, implant failure and damage to the
> joint," said Cook, professor of veterinary medicine and surgery and
> the William C. Allen Endowed  Professor for Orthopedic Research.
> "This new technique is minimally invasive, relatively easy to
> perform and cost effective compared to other techniques. The dogs
> in the preliminary trial study experienced fewer and less severe
> complications with outcomes that were equal to or better than those
> seen with the bone-cutting technique."
>
> Cruciate ligament tears are five times more common in dogs than
> humans and cost U.S. pet-owners more than $1.3 billion each year.
> The new technique is not for every dog. Because surgeons must be
> able to drill tunnels in the bone, dogs must weigh at least 40
> pounds for the Tightrope CCL method to be feasible.  In addition,
> dogs that cannot follow a physical rehabilitation protocol after
> surgery and dogs with limb deformities are not candidates for this
> technique. The 10- to 12-week rehabilitation period is very
> important for any surgical technique for CCL deficiency in order to
> optimize successful return to pain-free function and reduce
> complications, Cook said.
>
> "The times the Tightrope CCL technique has failed are when owners
> did not give their dogs the full rehabilitation period and let
> their dogs run, play or traumatize the joint before the knees were
> ready," Cook said. "A successful operation is dependent on
> postoperative care so that the dog can heal well and build muscle
> for long term function. The Tightrope CCL technique is designed to
> allow this to happen with less surgery and less risk of a major
> problem arising, and so far, it has been successful."
>