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Wylie et al: Complications and outcomes following surgical management of common calcaneal tendon pathology in 80 dogs
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2026

Complications and outcomes following surgical management of common calcaneal tendon pathology in 80 dogs

🔍 Key Findings

  • CCT surgery was performed in 80 dogs (89 limbs) across five referral centers in a retrospective cohort study evaluating surgical treatment outcomes.
  • Tendon repair with tarsocrural immobilization was the most common treatment (51.7%), followed by pantarsal arthrodesis (36%) and immobilization without repair (12.3%).
  • The three-loop pulley was the most frequently used tendon repair suture pattern (41.3%) among repaired tendons.
  • Overall complication rates did not differ significantly between tendon repair (56.5%) and pantarsal arthrodesis (42.8%) (p = .543).
  • Catastrophic complications were significantly higher after tendon repair with immobilization (26.1%) compared with pantarsal arthrodesis (0%) (p = .005).
  • Temporary tarsocrural immobilization (with or without tendon repair) was associated with higher revision surgery risk than pantarsal arthrodesis.
  • Median referral follow-up time was 10 weeks (range 6–256 weeks).
  • Long-term owner outcomes (LOAD questionnaire) showed no difference in mildly affected dogs among surgical groups (p = .493).

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← Articles

Wylie et al: Complications and outcomes following surgical management of common calcaneal tendon pathology in 80 dogs
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

  • CCT surgery was performed in 80 dogs (89 limbs) across five referral centers in a retrospective cohort study evaluating surgical treatment outcomes.
  • Tendon repair with tarsocrural immobilization was the most common treatment (51.7%), followed by pantarsal arthrodesis (36%) and immobilization without repair (12.3%).
  • The three-loop pulley was the most frequently used tendon repair suture pattern (41.3%) among repaired tendons.
  • Overall complication rates did not differ significantly between tendon repair (56.5%) and pantarsal arthrodesis (42.8%) (p = .543).
  • Catastrophic complications were significantly higher after tendon repair with immobilization (26.1%) compared with pantarsal arthrodesis (0%) (p = .005).
  • Temporary tarsocrural immobilization (with or without tendon repair) was associated with higher revision surgery risk than pantarsal arthrodesis.
  • Median referral follow-up time was 10 weeks (range 6–256 weeks).
  • Long-term owner outcomes (LOAD questionnaire) showed no difference in mildly affected dogs among surgical groups (p = .493).

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Wylie 2026 et al., on CCT surgical outcomes, how did overall complication rates compare between tendon repair with immobilization and pantarsal arthrodesis?

A. Tendon repair had significantly lower complication rates
B. Pantarsal arthrodesis had significantly higher complication rates
C. There was no significant difference in complication rates
D. Tendon repair had zero complications
E. Both procedures had identical complication percentages

Answer: There was no significant difference in complication rates

Explanation: The study reported complication rates of 56.5% for tendon repair and 42.8% for pantarsal arthrodesis, with no significant difference (p = .543).
In Wylie 2026 et al., on CCT surgical outcomes, which surgical approach was associated with the highest rate of catastrophic complications?

A. Pantarsal arthrodesis
B. Tendon repair with tarsocrural immobilization
C. Temporary immobilization without repair
D. Gastrocnemius muscle transfer
E. Isolated SDFT tenodesis

Answer: Tendon repair with tarsocrural immobilization

Explanation: Catastrophic complications occurred in 26.1% of tendon repairs with immobilization and 0% after pantarsal arthrodesis.
In Wylie 2026 et al., on CCT surgical outcomes, which surgical treatment was most commonly performed for common calcaneal tendon pathology in dogs?

A. Tendon repair with tarsocrural immobilization
B. Pantarsal arthrodesis
C. Isolated gastrocnemius tenotomy
D. Tarsal ligament reconstruction
E. Primary calcaneal ostectomy

Answer: Tendon repair with tarsocrural immobilization

Explanation: This procedure accounted for 51.7% of surgeries and was the most common treatment method in the study.
In Wylie 2026 et al., on CCT surgical outcomes, what was the median follow-up time at the referral center after surgery?

A. 4 weeks
B. 6 weeks
C. 10 weeks
D. 24 weeks
E. 1 year

Answer: 10 weeks

Explanation: The reported median follow-up time was 10 weeks, with a range of 6–256 weeks.
In Wylie 2026 et al., on CCT surgical outcomes, which tendon repair suture pattern was most commonly used during surgical repair?

A. Locking loop pattern
B. Three-loop pulley pattern
C. Krackow pattern
D. Bunnell-Mayer pattern
E. Simple interrupted pattern

Answer: Three-loop pulley pattern

Explanation: The three-loop pulley was used in 41.3% of tendon repairs and was the most commonly applied suture configuration.

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