Tibial Tuberosity Advancement Surgery for Dogs
Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a common injury we can treat in dogs using the Tibial Tuberosity Advancement technique. The CCL is a ligament that connects the femur to the tibia and supports the function of the knee joint. However, the CCL can be prone to injury, similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in people. The CCL can be injured in one of two ways; either as an acute (sudden) rupture, or over time with the ligament slowly tearing and degrading.
Why Surgery is Needed to Repair a Ruptured CCL
A ruptured CCL cannot be treated and healed with physical therapy, medication, or reduced movement. Surgery is needed sooner than later to repair the joint and improve the patient’s quality of life. Without proper treatment, the affected joint will be inflamed and quite painful, resulting in significant lameness of the limb.
What is Tibial Tuberosity Advancement?
Compared to TPLO surgery, tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) is a little less invasive and can allow for quicker weight bearing and fewer complications in patients. The procedure involves cutting the front top section of the tibia (shin bone), moving it forward, and screwing it in place to stabilize it in its new position.
The result of this surgery is twofold:
First, the advancement of the tibial tuberosity increases tension on the strong patellar tendon which runs over the kneecap and inserts at the head of the tibia. This increased tension on the patellar tendon stops the sheer force created by the CCL tear.
Second, the advancement helps to lengthen the patellar tendon, which decreases its angle relative to the tibial slope. This means we do not have to cut as much bone as we would with the TPLO procedure.
