Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is the most common orthopaedic injury in dogs, causing severe lameness and joint pain, and requires prompt management to prevent progressive arthritis.
CCL injury causes significant acute pain and, if untreated, leads to chronic arthritis. Dogs compensate by overloading the opposite limb, increasing injury risk there too. Prompt diagnosis, appropriate pain management, and surgical intervention where indicated are welfare imperatives to prevent prolonged suffering.