This aim of this study was to determine feline stifle joint stability and muscle force ratios after cranial cruciate ligament transection and intra-articular reconstruction, and assess the feasibility of this reconstruction in cats.Ten feline hindlimbs were tested in an axial limb press with 30% body weight load. Femoral angles were set to 60 degrees, and stifle and hock angles to 120 degrees. The cranial cruciate ligament was transected, and testing was repeated. Intra-articular reconstruction was performed using a 16-strand ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene graft and four 3 mm interference screws. Friedman's repeated-measures analysis of variance compared angles, forces, and tibial translation.Tibial translation increased significantly after cranial cruciate ligament transection (p = 0.02) but did not differ from intact joints post-reconstruction (p = 0.5). Forces (p = 0.72, p = 0.74) and bone/joint angles (p = 0.12) did not differ across test situations. Mean quadriceps force was twice the gastrocnemius force. Measurement repeatability was good, with a within-subject standard deviation for distance at 0.4 mm and for angles at 0.4 to 1.1 degrees.Limb press positioning was consistent and repeatable, and muscle forces approached in vivo values. Intra-articular reconstruction restored joint stability under static load and appeared feasible for use in cats.
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