Method and apparatus for treating canine cruciate ligament disease

1. A method for treating canine cruciate ligament disease in a canine stifle joint, comprising:

securing an implant to one of a canine femur or a canine tibia; and

reducing cranial tibial thrust by displacing connective tissue or muscle acting on the canine stifle joint with said implant, wherein said displacing comprises engaging at least a hamstring muscle or tendon with the implant so as to displace the hamstring muscle or tendon caudally sufficiently to alter a force exerted by the hamstring muscle or tendon on the stifle joint such that cranial tibial translation is reduced

wherein the implant comprises a displacement portion positioned on a caudal aspect of the femur after said securing, and

wherein the implant comprises a fixation portion anchored to a lateral or medial side of the femur after said securing.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said engaging comprises the displacement portion displacing the hamstring muscle or tendon away from a femoral shaft of the femur.

3. A method for treating canine cruciate ligament disease in a canine stifle joint comprising:

securing an implant to one of a canine femur or a canine tibia; and

reducing cranial tibial thrust by displacing connective tissue or muscle acting on the canine stifle joint with said implant, wherein said displacing, comprises engaging at least a hamstring muscle or tendon with the implant so as to displace the hamstring muscle or tendon caudally sufficiently to alter a force exerted by the hamstring muscle or tendon on the stifle joint such that cranial tibial translation is reduced

wherein the implant comprises a displacement portion positioned on a caudal aspect of the femur after said securing, and,

wherein the implant comprises a fixation portion anchored to a lateral or medial side of the tibia after said securing.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said securing comprises positioning the implant outside of the capsule surrounding the canine stifle joint.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said securing and said reducing are achieved without cutting bone of the femur or tibia.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the displacing is greater than about 2 mm up to about 25 mm beyond the natural anatomical track of the displaced tissue.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said displacing is in a range of about 4-15 mm.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein further comprising selecting the hamstring muscle or tendon as at least one of a biceps femoris, a semitendinosus, and a semimembranosus.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein said securing comprises positioning the implant outside of the capsule surrounding the canine stifle joint.

10. The method of claim 3 , wherein said securing and said reducing are achieved without cutting bone of the femur or tibia.

11. The method of claim 3 , wherein the displacing is greater than about 2 mm up to about 25 mm beyond the natural anatomical track of the displaced tissue.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said displacing is in a range of about 4-15 mm.

13. A method for treating a canine stifle joint, comprising:

securing an implant to one of a canine femur or tibia in engagement with at least one hamstring muscle or tendon acting on the canine stifle joint; and

displacing the at least one hamstring muscle or tendon with said implant by said engagement to reduce cranial tibial thrust acting on the canine stifle joint,

wherein the canine stifle joint has a joint capsule, and wherein:

said securing comprises fixing the implant to the canine femur or tibia with at least one bone screw without penetrating the joint capsule; and

said securing and displacing are performed without cutting the hone to which the implant is secured.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said displacing comprises repositioning the at least one hamstring muscle or tendon caudally greater than about 2 mm up to about 25 mm beyond the natural anatomical track of the hamstring muscle or tendon.