Effect of 9 mm tibial tuberosity advancement on cranial tibial translation in the canine cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle.

Objective: To assess the effect of 9 mm tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) on cranial tibial translation (CTT) in a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)-deficient canine stifle model.

Study Design: In vitro cadaveric study.

Animals: Canine pelvic limbs (n=12).

Methods: Each stifle was placed in a jig at 135 degrees with a simulated quadriceps force and tibial axial force. CTT distance was measured with the CCL intact (iCCL), transected (tCCL), and after performing TTA using a 9 mm cage.

Results: Mean CTT for iCCL was 0.42 mm, 1.58 mm after severing the CCL, and 1.06 mm post-TTA. The tCCL CTT measured without any quadriceps force was 2.59 mm. Differences between the intact and tCCL (P<.0001) and tCCL and TTA (P=.0003) were significant. The difference between the tCCL with and without the quadriceps force was not significant (P=.0597).

Conclusions: These data confirm that TTA does reduce CTT in tCCL stifles in this model. The CTT noted was less than that noted clinically. The addition of a simulated quadriceps force to a CCL-deficient stifle before a TTA, by itself, may not significantly lessen CTT.

Clinical Relevance: Whereas this in vitro model demonstrated that TTA reduced CTT in canine stifles with CCL transected, the model limitations preclude extrapolation to the effect of TTA in a live dog.