Cruciate ligament injury in dogs

What is cruciate ligament rupture?

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL — the canine equivalent of the human ACL) stabilises the knee joint. Rupture is one of the most common orthopaedic emergencies in dogs, presenting as sudden hind-limb lameness, often during exercise. Some dogs partially tear the ligament over time; others rupture acutely.

Surgical options

Three main surgical approaches: TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy), TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement), and extracapsular suture stabilisation. Choice depends on dog size, activity level, and surgeon preference. See the TPLO guide for more detail.

What pet insurance can cover

• Surgical fees + anaesthesia + hospitalisation
• Pre-op imaging
• Post-op rehab (sometimes; check sub-limit)
• Pain management medication

The bilateral rule is the biggest single variable

About half of dogs that rupture one cruciate go on to rupture the other within 12-24 months. NZ insurers handle this differently:

• Some treat the second side as pre-existing once you've claimed on the first — meaning the second surgery is fully out of pocket.
• Some cover both sides as separate conditions, with each knee under its own waiting period.
• Some apply a partial carve-out or a fresh waiting period on the second side.

Watch for

• Orthopaedic waiting period (often longer than general illness — 6+ months is common)
• Per-condition sub-limit (sometimes well below the annual cap)
• Breed-specific exclusions (Labradors, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands)

/find-my-policy with "breed-prone-to-hereditary-conditions" ranks NZ policies on bilateral + hereditary clause language.