SubscribeLateral Fabellar Technique (Extracapsular Technique) – Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
The Lateral Fabellar Technique, or Extracapsular Technique, is a common surgery performed on dogs to stabilize the stifle (knee) joint after a tear or rupture in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL; misspelling cranial crucial ligament). Normally, the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) prevents backward-forward movement (drawer movement) of the stifle joint. Untreated instability in the knee/stifle joint due to a turn/ruptured CCL can result in a tearing of the meniscus as well. When it tears/ruptures, the stifle joint becomes unstable and the dog suffers lack of mobility, lameness or loss of use and is subject to chronic and progressive arthritis in the stifle if untreated.
In a Lateral Fabellar (Extracapsular) procedure, heavy suture material (monofilament nylon cord) is passed from the lateral fabella to the tibial crest in order to eliminate joint instability (drawer movement). It is this nylon cord that will act as the CCL ligament in the future by holding the joint together and keeping it stable.
The lateral fabellar surgery will not stop the progression of arthritis that is already present in the joint. Your dog may have some stiffness of the limb and may have some lameness after heavy exercise. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine may be given to help with stiffness.
Typical downtime and rehab:
- First 2 weeks, dog should be crated and only let out on a leash to go to the bathroom.
- After about 2 months, lameness should decrease significantly, but it was recommended by our veterinarian to keep our dog crated still.
- After 3 months, our dog had regained full use of her leg.
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- TPLO vs. TTA vs. Lateral Fabellar Traditional Technique – Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
- TPLO – Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy – Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
- External Capsular Fixation (Extracapsular Imbrication) Knee Surgery
- Surgical Options for Torn/Ruptured Cranial Cruciate Ligament (Cranial Crucial Ligament)
- Hidden Costs and Unexpected Costs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair in Dogs
[...] First and foremost, the type of surgery that you choose will be the biggest factor in determining cost. Here are some common types: TPLO, TTA, and Lateral Fabellar Technique [...]
[...] TPLO or TTA surgery to repair the torn or ruptured cranial cruciate ligament in your dogs knee. The traditional technique (extracapsular technique) typically isn’t used in large breed dogs, such as Black Labrador [...]
[...] My first thought was that there was simply a misunderstanding between the patient and the veterinarian. External would imply that there wouldn’t be need for surgery, possibly just a brace or stabilizer that would be worn by the dog. After doing a little bit more research, I am pretty sure that this person meant Extracapsular rather than External Capsular. If that is the case, then that opens up the door for the very common Extracapsular Imbrication surgery (also known as the Lateral Fabellar Technique). [...]
After 2 months in a crate, I think my dog (austrailian cattle dog) will need to be placed on psych medication.
Knee will be in great shape, however will start chasing parked cars….. when allowed to!
(in the process of researching canine CCL tears)
As a licensed athletic trainer, these protocols are a lot more conservate than human ACL rehabs.
Definitely agree with you Heath… much more conservative. Probably due to the fact that you can’t tell a dog to go 25%, or to not move laterally, etc.
Best of luck with your dogs recovery!
That’s a good point.
We have surgery scheduled this wednesday, TTO procedure, hoping for an excellent recovery!
Thanks for the response.
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