You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Few studies have reported the long term affects of cruciate repair using the "over-the-top" technique.

In one study (Innes J.F et al , Veterinary Record (2000) 147, 325-328) a group of 26 dogs were followed for a period of 3-5 years and findings recorded at 13 months and 50 months after surgical repair of cruciate rupture by a modified  "over-the-top" technique. Owners were asked for their opinions of function and the results were as follows :

• The activity level of their dogs decreased by 13 months and decreased further by 50 months
• The level of disability was lowest at 13 months but increased by 50 months
• The degree of stiffness due to inactivity had decreased at 13 months, and was similar at 50 months
• The effect of cold weather decreased by 13 months, and increased to the same as at the time of entry into the study by 50 months
• The ability of dogs to jump increased by 13 months and was similar at 50 months.
• At 50 months - advancing age had a negative effect on :
  • the level of exercise
  • the effect of cold weather
  • the ability to jump
• At 50 months - dogs with meniscal tears at the time of surgery had :
  • lower levels of exercise
  • a higher level of disability
  • higher degree of stiffness due to inactivity
• Lameness decreased in the affected limbs by 13 months and was similar at 50 months
• There was an increase in periarticular thickening in the unaffected limb
• There was an increase in quadriceps atrophy in the unaffected limb

The overall conclusion of the owners  was that function had decreased over the 50 month period and the authors concluded that the cause may have been due to progression of osteoarthrosis  in the affected joint, or developing disease in the unaffected contralateral joint. Unfortunately, no control group of dogs treated conservatively was included in the study for comparison.

Updated January 2016