In canine cranial cruciate ligament disease, are conservative treatment and lateral fabellotibial suture recoveries comparable?

PICO question In dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease, is conservative non-surgical treatment as effective as surgical treatment with the lateral fabellotibial suture technique in reducing time to recovery?   Clinical bottom line Category of research Treatment. Number and type of study designs reviewed One retrospective study. Strength of evidence Zero. Outcomes reported There is no evidence that surgical treatment with the lateral fabellotibial suture (LFTS) reduces time to recovery compared to conservative treatment in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease. Conclusion In dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease there is no statistical evidence to support recommendation of surgical treatment with the LFTS technique compared to conservative treatment in reducing time to recovery.   How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.