K-9 patient recruitment for cranial cruciate ligament (“ACL” ) studies – College of Veterinary Medicine!

Patient recruitment is currently under way for two clinical studies for dogs diagnosed cranial cruciate ligament ruptures (= “ACL” ruptures in people) through the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the College of Veterinary Medicine, WSU.

  1. Comparison of arthrotomy vs. arthroscopy for dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The partial list of patient enrollment requirements are:
    a. 1-8 years of age
    b. Any breed of male or female (can be spayed or neutered)
    c. Weight between 45-100 lbs
    d. Be in good health
    e. Must have unilateral (one-sided) cranial cruciate ligament rupture (partial or complete) that has previously been diagnosed by a veterinarian. Dogs with previous cruciate ligament ruptures on the opposite leg can be enrolled if surgery was performed at least 6 months or longer to study enrollment date
    f. The patient must be able to walk on our force plate for limb force measurements without issue (will be assessed at initial appointment)
    g. A signed pet owner consent form

    • Pet owners must be willing to return with their dog for re-evaluation at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery
    • Pet owners with dogs completing this study will be compensated $600
    • Enrollment is limited to 20 dogs

    For the complete list of study enrollment requirements and/or for more information to potentially enroll your dog into this study please contact Kayla Bakke (5-7115, kaylabakke@vetmed.wsu.edu), Dr. Andrea Sundholm (5-7115, sundholmtepper@vetmed.wsu.edu), or Dr. Steve Martinez (5-7115, martinez@vetmed.wsu.edu)


  2. Evaluation of hind limb muscle activity before and after surgery (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy; TPLO) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament ruptures. The partial list of patient enrollment requirements are:
    a. 2-9 years of age
    b. Any breed of male or female (can be spayed or neutered)
    c. Weight between 45-100 lbs
    d. Be in good health
    e. Must have unilateral (one-sided) cranial cruciate ligament rupture (partial or complete) that has previously been diagnosed by a veterinarian. Dogs with previous cranial cruciate ligament ruptures on the opposite leg can be enrolled if surgery was performed at least 6 months or longer from the study enrollment date
    f. The patient must be able to walk on our force plate for limb force measurements without issue (will be assessed at initial appointment)
    g. A signed pet owner consent form

    • Pet owners must be willing to return with their dog for re-evaluation at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery
    • Currently, there is no monetary compensation for this study
    • Enrollment is limited to 10 dogs

    For the complete list of study enrollment requirements and/or for more information to potentially enroll your dog into this study please contact Kayla Bakke (5-7115, kaylabakke@vetmed.wsu.edu), Dr. Ciaran Jones (5-7115, cjones@vetmed.wsu.edu), or Dr. Steve Martinez (5-7115, martinez@vetmed.wsu.edu)

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