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Meniscal release remains controversial despite the many thousands of procedures performed.

The meniscus both cushions the impact of the stifle on the tibia and to degree stabilises the stifle by limiting caudal movement of the femur on the tibia. Removing these functions by meniscal release must be a bad thing. Where the management of the cruciate deficient stifle is by some method of tibial plateau geometry altering technique, the stifle becomes stable only under load. The meniscus is therefore vunerable to impingement between femur and tibia when under partial load or uncontolled loading. It is presumed that damage, if not already present, will occur. The caudal horn is sectioned allowing it to move caudally, removing it from harm by the femur. The theory of meniscal release is based on the assumption that no meniscus being better than a damaged (painful) one.

Release is achieved by: 

1. Transecting the medial horn by a radial cut just caudal to the medial colateral ligament.(illustrated)

or

2. Releasing the meniscus by transecting its caudal attachment to the tibia.

The most useful instrument for this procedure is a small beaver type blade holder and a beaver type blade (no64 or no65) - Click here to buy these items.