Student Case Presentation
Prognosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in cattle: a retrospective case series of surgical and medical management
| Date/Time: |
9/11/2025 #5
|
| Presenter: |
Alora Strickland |
| Veterinary School: |
TN |
Abstract:
Cranial cruciate ligament ruptures (CCLR) are a common cause of proximal hindlimb lameness in cattle. Short-term prognosis is poor with either surgical or medical management, however, data concerning conservative management is lacking.
This case series includes all cattle with radiographic confirmation of CCLR attended from 7/2014 - 7/2024. For conservative management, positive outcome was defined as reaching the producer's desired lifespan. For surgical management, short-term positive outcome was defined by hospital discharge, and long-term positive outcome was defined as one more reproduction cycle.
Fifty-one cattle had stifle related lameness, for which 27 cases were diagnosed with CCLR. Median age was 7y[2-14], with 15 males and 12 females, and primarily beef breeds. Nine were treated surgically, 12 were treated conservatively, and 6 were euthanized on presentation. Two patients were lost in long-term follow up.
Conservative management consisted of stall confinement with NSAID administration. Three cows were euthanized due to developing downer cow syndrome. Positive outcomes were obtained for 8 cases following discharge. Cattle were kept in the herd for a median time of 60 days. Surgical treatments consisted of imbrication with implantation of a synthetic graft for 8 cattle and arthroscopy for one. Six cases had positive short-term outcomes and 2/5 discharged cases had a positive long-term outcome, with an average postoperative lifespan of 21 months.
Medical management is the preferable treatment for commercial cattle and often results in positive economical value. While surgically managed cases have less long-term positive outcomes, patients that did make full recoveries were able to be collected from or used for natural cover. Ultimately, 8/11 medically managed cases and 2/8 surgically managed cases were considered positive long-term outcomes. Taking into account the results and producer feedback, stifle injuries pose a difficult long-term decision especially when considering genetic value and desired outcome.
