Cranial cruciate ligament disease is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs, causing significant pain and disability, with prevention and early intervention offering major welfare benefits.
CCL rupture causes acute, severe lameness and pain - affected dogs often cannot bear weight at all. The subsequent weeks of restricted exercise and then gradual rehabilitation are prolonged, frustrating experiences for active dogs. Chronic instability without surgery leads to progressive arthritis causing daily pain for years. The bilateral nature of the problem means many dogs face two surgeries and two recoveries. The preventable aspects - particularly obesity - make CCL disease a welfare issue with clear intervention points.