Isometric Cruciate Stabilization attempts to re-create the action of the cranial cruciate ligament outside the joint itself (this is also known as an extra capsular repair). There are many variations of this procedure. The procedure we perform at Mayerthorpe Veterinary Services involves inserting two screws...one in the femur and one in the tibia, and passing a loop of high tensile plastic line around the two screws. This eliminates the "drawer motion" of the femur and tibia rubbing on one another and the inflammation associated with that process.
This procedure works well for cats and small dogs. When this procedure is performed on larger dogs, it is more difficult to obtain stability of the joint and the fibre is very prone to breakage. For these reasons, a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) will be recommended for larger dogs with cranial cruciate ligament ruptures.