Cruciate disease is the most common orthopaedic problem in small animal practice and the most common orthopaedic disease requiring surgery. Success in management of cruciate disease requires a sound understanding of the key factors contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease, clinical skills in orthopaedic and radiographic examination, a clear knowledge of relevant surgical anatomy, skills in effective stifle joint exploration and meniscal decision- making, and an understanding of the pros and cons of the various cruciate treatment options.

This course is aimed at veterinary practitioners who want to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence in managing cruciate disease and associated secondary meniscal injuries using extracapsular surgical technique.

This course is practical and interactive with in-depth case discussions and hands on practical sessions. The course is an introduction to general orthopaedic surgery.

Key Skills:

  • Perform a mini lateral or mini medial arthrotomy
  • Use the appropriate equipment to effectively explore the stifle joint
  • Perform a caudal pole partial hemimeniscectomy
  • Perform an extracapsular stabilisation of a cruciate deficient stifle joint

Course learning objectives:

  • Be able to perform a discriminating orthopaedic examination to diagnose cruciate disease prior to progression to cruciate instability and secondary meniscal injury
  • Be able to quality assure radiographic studies that are suitable for the diagnosis an assessment of cruciate disease
  • Use clinical and radiographic information to make appropriate decisions and surgical plans for cruciate surgery
  • Be able to perform a mini lateral or mini medial arthrotomy and use the appropriate equipment to effectively explore the stifle joint
  • Develop familiarity with normal meniscal anatomy to facilitate the diagnosis and decision-making of secondary meniscal injuries.
  • Develop and refine skills in performing an extracapsular stabilisation for cruciate instability
  • Understand the relative advantages and disadvantages of the commonly used cruciate surgeries
  • Obtain and examine a synovial fluid sample from the stifle joint and be able to differentiate between non-inflammatory fluid consistent with cruciate disease and inflammatory fluid consistent with joint infection or immune-mediated disease

Mark Glyde

BVSc (Hons) MACVSc MVS HDipUTL
Diplomate ECVS European, RCVS and Australian Recognised Specialist Surgeon

Mark is Associate Professor of Small Animal Surgery at Murdoch University and leads Murdoch’s orthopaedic and neurosurgery referral service.

Mark is a registered specialist surgeon with a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, a master’s degree in veterinary surgery and is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Mark is well known internationally as a surgeon having presented courses in orthopaedics and arthroscopy as keynote speaker throughout USA, Europe, UK, Asia, Latin America and Australia for over 25 years.

Mark is an internationally recognised and awarded teacher with a passion for sharing his knowledge of orthopaedics. He is the Chair of the AOVET Education Commission, a member of the AOVET International Board and past Chair of AOVET Asia Pacific.

Mark has trained many specialist surgeons internationally through residency training programs at University of Liverpool, University College Dublin, and Murdoch University. His main research interests are in fracture repair and implant biomechanics, surgery for cruciate disease and patella luxation, joint loading and injuries in agility and working dogs.

Extra-Capsular Cruciate Repair Wet-Lab NSW (March 2024)