The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine is conducting a study on cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in dogs. We wish to determine if an anti-inflammatory medical therapy treatment will reduce the incidence of subsequent CCL rupture in dogs affected with the cruciate rupture arthropathy by treating joint inflammation. The Small Animal Orthopedic Service is seeking both dogs that have ruptured the ligament in one stifle with their opposite stifle being stable, and dogs that are suspected of having a unilateral or bilateral stable partial CCL tear and stifle arthritis.

Dogs that qualify for the study will have both stifles evaluated by the Orthopedic Surgery Service at the UW's Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). We are currently seeking surgical and non-surgical patients for our study.

Both groups of dogs will receive the same disease-modifying anti-inflammatory treatment. With our surgical patients, we will perform bilateral arthroscopy and surgical stabilization of the ruptured cruciate stifle. Dogs with stable partial CCL tears will be worked-up with stifle radiography and stifle joint arthrocentesis. All trial dogs will be placed on medication and will require follow-up evaluation for completion of the trial.

Owners participating in the trial will receive a financial benefit at completion of the trial.

Rupture of the CCL is the most common source of lameness in dogs, causing pain, inflammation and loss of function. Approximately 50% of dogs will rupture the cranial cruciate ligament in their opposite stifle joint within 12 months of diagnosis. Despite the significance of this condition, the underlying mechanism causing progressive degeneration of the ligament is unclear. The goal of the study is to determine if a disease modifying therapy will reduce the risk of CCL rupture in the stable stifle, as well as reducing the progression of arthritis in both unstable and stable stifles.

The study is sponsored by a grant from the UW-Madison Graduate School and the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. To see if a dog qualifies for the study, please call Gerianne Holzman, VMTH orthopedic surgery coordinator, at 608/262-6512 or Dr. Zeev Schwartz at (608) 263-4415. We can answer any further questions and arrange a consultation appointment with the Orthopedic Surgery Service.