When it comes to a cruciate rupture – one of the most common injuries your dog (and occasionally cat) will sustain, there are a few techniques that will correct this injury (of which most veterinary clinics will only offer one).
At SAH, not only do we offer all the various options (including specialist options), we have now included an exciting new technique called a Tightrope procedure for cruciate rupture. Having returned from the Western Veterinary Conference in America, our head surgeon Dr Karin Davids (who many of our clients know from the incredible work she has done on their pets), has been offering this new technique for approximately one year now – and with very exciting results!
Click here to look in greater detail of not only this new technique, but of some great examples of recipients of this new surgery for cruciate rupture.
Generally speaking, veterinary practices that offer surgery for ruptured cruciates offer a basic technique called a DeAngelis repair. This technique uses a simple fishing line to replace the ruptured cruciate and is a good technique with good success, but reduces in efficacy with the increasing weight of the dog. This costs approximately $1,200 including all follow-ups and medications.
With larger dogs, Tibial Plateau levelling techniques are better and there are a few different procedures available. Our clinic offers two of the main procedures, a TWO (Tibial Levelling Osteotomy) which costs approximately $3,200, and a TPLO which costs approximately $4,500 (and is done by a specialist surgeon within our clinic).
Now the Tightrope Procedure for Cruciate Rupture, which costs between $1,800 and $2,400 (depending on the size of the dog), is a much improved procedure than the DeAngelis, being stronger and so less likely to have a poor result. However, it is also a very reasonable option to consider instead of the advanced TWO and TPLO procedures for pet owners that may not be able to afford those costs.
Unlike the standard DeAngelis procedure using fishing line, the Tightrope procedure for cruciate rupture uses a titanium/Kevlar implant that is much stronger than fishing line. It also anchors to the bone very differently from the DeAngelis procedure, allowing for much less movement and loosening of the implant. This makes this procedure a much better option than DeAngelis in our experience so far.
This new Tightrope procedure for ruptured cranial cruciate repair is just another example of how SAH keeps our clients ahead of the curve for advanced veterinary procedures, both medical and surgical. We are perhaps the only vet clinic in Melbourne that offers all types of surgical procedures for cranial cruciate repair and we will gladly explain the pro’s and con’s of each one in each individual case.
These diagrams show the position of the Tightrope prosthesis