Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is the most common orthopaedic emergency in dogs, causing significant pain and disability requiring surgical management.
Dogs with CCL rupture experience sudden severe lameness and chronic joint instability. Without surgical treatment, secondary meniscal injury and progressive arthritis cause ongoing welfare impairment. Surgery eliminates instability and prevents arthritis progression, dramatically improving quality of life. Post-surgical recovery requires strict rest that is psychologically challenging for active dogs. Mental enrichment during recovery maintains cognitive welfare. Weight management is the most important preventive measure and also improves surgical outcomes in affected dogs.