34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Objectives:

To provide the first reported use of an ‘InternalBrace™’ technique to augment primary repair of a complete patellar ligament rupture in a dog.

Methods:

An 18 month old, 20kg, Labrador Retriever suffered a traumatic laceration over the insertion of the patellar ligament. Radiographs, ultrasound, and physical examination revealed complete transverse rupture of the patellar ligament at its insertion on the tibial tuberosity. Primary repair of the ligament was achieved with polydioxanone in Krakow and Kessler patterns. The repair was augmented with an ‘Internal Brace’ technique using 2 metric FibreTape®  through a 1.5mm transverse mid-body patella tunnel. The FibreTape®  strands ran down the medial and lateral sides of the patellar ligament and were secured either side of the tibial tuberosity with 4.75mm PEEK (SwiveLock™) anchors. A transarticular ESF was applied to maintain stifle extension for 4 weeks.

Results:

Follow-up ultrasonography at 4, 9, 15, and 26 weeks tracked progressive healing and maintenance of integrity of the ligament and FibreTape® . At 15 weeks post-surgery; lameness had resolved, pelvic limb muscle mass was  symmetrical, and stifle range of motion was near normal (goniometry: 40° flexion, 177° extension). Off-lead exercise was introduced at 15 weeks post-surgery and the patient returned to full function. At 12 months post-surgery the patient remained free of lameness.

Conclusions:

An ‘InternalBrace™’ technique provided biomechanical stability of the repaired ligament and could be an effective procedure for the treatment of acute patellar ligament rupture in dogs.