How a Vet Treats Cruciate Ligament Tears in Dogs

In dogs, the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) is like the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) found in humans. The CCL in dogs is one of the major ligaments that connect the upper leg bone (femur) to the lower leg bone (tibia), and it allows the dog’s knee to bend properly. Typically, the tears happen when there is continued stress on the ligament from walking or running, a burst of sudden force on the ligament or degradation due to age. Veterinarians treat the tears by performing surgery, and a few surgical options for CCL tears include Lateral Suture, Tibial-Plateau-Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO), and Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA). Before having a surgery performed on your dog, take time to research different treatment options.