Physical Therapy After CCL Repair
Each veterinarian seems to have their own theories regarding how soon physical therapy should be started after ccl surgery and what techniques work best. Other veterinary surgeons will write off physical therapy all together, preferring for the dog to remain quiet for the first 6-8 weeks after the repair, gradually returning to exercise. While it is always best to go along with the instructions of your vet, I do want to point out that studies done by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons have shown that dogs beginning rehabilitative therapy within 48 hours of the procedure tend to heal faster and have greater range of motion than dogs without any physical therapy.
Swimming is an excellent non-weight bearing activity, but only after the incision site itself has had time to heal. All therapies should always be cleared through your veterinary surgeon, prior to their implementation. If you have access to a pool and a dog that loves to swim, this can be a great way to help them regain lost muscle mass while working on ROM exercises in a zero resistance environment (decreasing the likelihood of injury).
The long term prognosis for animals undergoing surgical CCL repair is good, with clinical reports of improvement in 85-90% of the cases. Unfortunately, degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis progresses regardless of treatment. Long term outcome includes a decrease in activity over time, an increasing level of disability, an adverse response to cold weather, and stiffness after inactivity related to progressive degenerative joint. Weight loss, an exercise regime of daily moderate activity, and the use of joint supporting supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can help to improve these adverse clinical symptoms.
Share This Jun 06, 2008 | | Joint Supplements, Range of Motion Exercises, Physical Therapy, Recovery, Arthritis
June 7th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Thanks for the comment! Our dog had CCL repair just over a year ago now, and she is doing great. She’s dropped 1/3 of her body weight (per the vets request) and acts like a puppy again and she’s almost 7. The surgery worked great, though it was tough for the first few months.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Hi there. My 4 year, 4 month old German Shepherd just had her CCL surgery 5 days ago. What is the best advice anyone can give me. We are just coming in to winter and the weather is already below freezing. She loves to just sit outside. Will the cold affect her inscision and her leg? What is recommended? I appreciate any shared stories I can read. thank you.
December 25th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
After the surgery its better that U keep the dog warm & inside.Maybe cover him with a blanket.
The cold may cause more stiffness Or infection being outside.
Its very important that he rests for 1-2 months so the bone heals………
Follow the docs advice.
Also,make sure he doesn’t run Or slip after the Surgery Or he may damage the knee.
Please let him rest & follow instructions strictly.
Hope he recovers soon.
Thanks.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:13 am
My 7 year old Border Collie tore her CCL mid-November. Our vet suggested waiting a couple of weeks before surgery and sugery was performed on December 3rd. We left her in the care of the vet for 1 week so that he could check to make sure all had gone well.
After a week, we borught her home and did as instructed: kennel with bed (memory foam), no excessive movement, carrying her in and out of the house (2 steps), lifting her into and out of the car for vet visits, etc. Unfotunately, the vet removed the bandages that she had been wearing even though we protested. I left alone in her kennel for 1 hour, she removed the bandage that he had applied and chewed out the stitches. Back to the vet and he used staples to close the wound and more bandages plus halo collar.
Since she has a large neck and small head, the halo collar was meaningless. Regardless of how it was attached, she could remove it. Every night for 10 days she would remove the bandages and staples. Everyday we would go back to the vet to have more staples to close the wound.
We used a muzzle but everytime she was left unattended for even the shortest period of time she would remove the bandages and remove the staples. In several cases, this only took 15 minutes.
While leash walking her 2 weeks after her surgery, she tore the CCL on her good leg. Now we have to wait until the first leg heals before surgery on her other leg.
We had no idea that a torn CCL could be so exhaustive. For those considering CCL surgery for your dog, please be forwarned. It is a long, long and trying recovery. Good luck and God bless our dogs!