Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopaedic injuries in dogs, causing significant pain and requiring either surgical or conservative management with major welfare implications.
CCL rupture causes acute pain at the time of injury and chronic joint instability that causes ongoing discomfort without appropriate management. Dogs with unmanaged CCL rupture develop progressive osteoarthritis, lose muscle mass, and show progressive deterioration in mobility and quality of life. Surgical stabilisation, while expensive, provides the best welfare outcome for most dogs by restoring joint stability and preventing progressive joint disease. Post-operative rehabilitation is not optional for optimal welfare - it determines the quality and speed of recovery. Cost barriers to surgical treatment represent a significant welfare access inequality.