Cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs, causing significant acute pain and requiring either surgical repair or careful conservative management.
Dogs with cruciate rupture experience acute severe lameness that makes weight-bearing on the affected limb very painful. The joint instability causes continued damage and progressive arthritis if left untreated. Recovery from surgery requires weeks of strict rest, physical therapy, and careful rehabilitation that can be psychologically difficult for active dogs. The high rate of bilateral disease means many dogs undergo this recovery process twice. Appropriate weight management is one of the most important welfare-relevant preventive measures owners can take.