McAfee Animal Hospital Performing Advanced Surgical Procedures for Damaged CCL

TTADr. Steve Violanti is now performing TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) surgery for dogs 35-160lbs that have ruptured or damaged their CCL. The surgery is an advanced procedure that is superior to the traditional lateral suture repair technique.

The cranial cruciate ligament of the knee joint (CCL, also known as the ACL) ensures that the tibia does not slip forward and out from underneath the femur. Rupturing this ligament is the most common knee injury in dogs, especially in larger breeds or dogs that are overweight. Without surgical repair, this injury can lead to severe joint degeneration, bone spurs, and even arthritis.

The goal of the TTA surgery is to relieve the load off the CCL and place it on the quadriceps muscle. The surgeon cuts the tibial tuberosity, and moves it forward to a position perpendicular to the tibial plateau. Then the surgeon places a titanium implant to hold the cut section of bone to the tibia. A spacer and bone graph material are then added to stabilize the bone