Pre- and postoperative force plate analysis of dogs with experimentally transected cranial cruciate ligaments treated using tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

OBJECTIVE Quantitative and objective assessment of hindlimb kinetics after cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) transection and subsequent stifle stabilization using the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in normal dogs. STUDY DESIGN In vivo experimental biomechanical evaluation. ANIMALS Six healthy adult foxhounds. METHODS Dogs were screened by orthopedic and radiographic examination before study entry. Force plate analysis of gait was measured before extirpation of the right CrCL and TPLO and again at 8 and 18 weeks after surgery. RESULTS There was a significant decrease in peak vertical forces (PVFs) and vertical impulse (VI) of the treated hindlimb at 8 weeks when compared with preoperative and 18-week measurements. When compared with preoperative values, there was no significant difference in 18 week PVF and VI in dogs that had TPLO. CONCLUSION TPLO can restore kinetic measures of limb function at 18-weeks after surgery when compared with preoperative values after experimental transection of the CrCL in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE TPLO induces lameness that returns to near normal at 18 weeks. The severity and duration of lameness was similar to that reported for other experimental models of stifle instability repaired by different techniques.