The Canine Cruciate Ligament or "CCL"

This is one of MANY posts that will address, what some will refer to as, the most commonly discussed ligament in the body.

I am holding a replica of a canine knee joint, and surrounding tissues, otherwise known as the STIFLE joint. (I'm holding a LEFT knee.)

It's strikingly similar to a HUMAN knee, no? Yes!

The counterpart in humans is known as the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. 

​It is a ligament and NOT a tendon. 
​
It essentially helps connect the body from the tibia bone (lower part, sometimes referred to as the “shin”) to the femur (or thigh bone) and runs diagonally through the middle of the joint; specifically from the back of the femur (top) to the front (and bottom) on the medial meniscus (atop of the tibia).
{I'm bending or "flexing" the knee in the picture and my thumb is pointing to the CCL}

​As such, its “job” is to stop the forward translation or movement of the bones so that when your dog (or you, or your cat…etc) run, walk or bend your knee, there is stability and the tibia doesn’t slip or slide out in front. ​

That's important!

You have probably heard of ACL tears and how serious they are. In dogs (& yes, cats) the health of the CCL is also important and there are many factors to consider when there is an injury to it - or even when trying to prevent one!