Bringing Advanced Orthopaedic Care to Copthorne Vets

Introducing Zlig – A New Option for Cruciate Ligament Injuries

We’re delighted to announce that two of our veterinary surgeons, Gareth and Naomi, have recently completed specialist training in the innovative Zlig procedure, and we are now offering this advanced treatment at Copthorne Vets.

What is a Cruciate Ligament Injury?

A cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury is one of the most common causes of hindlimb lameness in dogs.

The cruciate ligament acts like a stabilising strap inside the knee joint. When it becomes damaged or ruptures, pets can experience:

  • Limping or lameness
  • Difficulty getting up or lying down
  • Knee swelling
  • Pain and reduced mobility
  • Reluctance to exercise or play

These injuries can occur suddenly following exercise or develop gradually over time due to degeneration of the joint.

What is Zlig?

Zlig is an innovative surgical technique designed to restore stability to the knee joint following a cruciate ligament injury.

Unlike some traditional cruciate surgeries, Zlig replaces the damaged ligament with a specially designed synthetic implant. One of the key advantages is that the procedure does not require cutting the bone (osteotomy), allowing pets to begin weight-bearing much sooner after surgery.

The synthetic ligament is designed to provide immediate joint stability while encouraging the body’s natural healing process.

Benefits of the Zlig Procedure

Some of the benefits include:

✔ Improved knee stability
✔ No bone cutting required
✔ Earlier weight-bearing after surgery
✔ Improved comfort during recovery
✔ A minimally invasive approach compared with some alternative techniques

As with any orthopaedic procedure, every pet is different, and our team will discuss the most appropriate treatment options based on your pet’s size, lifestyle and individual needs.

Meet Missy One of Our Zlig Patients

“We opted to go for the Zlig procedure when Missy ruptured her cruciate and it was the best choice for her! She recovered so smoothly and was putting weight on it the next day. Her mobility is getting better every day, with help from her physiotherapist, and a few weeks after surgery it was like it never happened.”

Could Your Pet Benefit from Zlig?

If your dog has been diagnosed with a cruciate ligament injury or is showing signs of hindlimb lameness, our team would be happy to discuss the treatment options available.

Contact Copthorne Vets to arrange an assessment and find out whether Zlig may be suitable for your pet.