The effect on the contralateral stifle joint of sectioning of the cranial cruciate ligament in the dog

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn three adult dogs the cranial cruciate ligament of the right stifle was sectioned. The animals were examined at regular intervals over the following twenty‐nine months and the clinical findings noted. Fluorochrome bone markers were injected at intervals of approximately six months. Following injection of barium sulphate and Berlin blue after euthanasia, the joint tissues of both stifles were examined for evidence of degenerative changes. The right stifles showed typical changes of osteoarthritis, while the left stifles revealed no abnormality.