Cranial Cruciate (Knee) Injury Symptoms in Dogs
No two dogs are alike when it comes to knee injuries. Some dogs will display many of the knee injury symptoms listed below, while others will only have intermittent lameness. Lameness in canines can have many causes, some of which are not directly leg related, and it is important for your dog to be evaluated by a veterinarian for any cases of unexplained lameness in any limb. Examining the way in which your dog was injured, if it can be determined, will play an important role in diagnosing a possible canine cruciate ligament tear or rupture. Careful evaluation of the symptoms, along with any diagnostic testing done by your pet’s doctor, will determine whether conservative management or surgery is indicated.
Canine Cruicate (Knee) Injury Symptoms:
- Decreased range of motion.
- Hind leg extended when sitting – this is known as the sit sign.
- Crepitus – crackling noise of bones rubbing against each other.
- Pain – when stifle (knee) joint is touched.
- Unwilling or resistant to exercise.
- Restricted mobility or extension.
- Stiffness after exercise.
- Swelling of joint.
- Thick, firm feel to knee are, may be hot to touch.
- Weight shifted to one side of body when standing.
- Exhibits toe-touching while standing.
There are also a few other conditions with similar symptoms to a cruciate injury, which is why it is important to schedule an appointment to see your veterinarian if your dog is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above.
Conditions with similar symptoms to cranial cruciate ligament tears/rupture:
- Acute arthritis – related to lyme disease or immune disorders
- Stifle (knee) joint sprain
- Meniscus (cartilage within the knee) injury
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar (knee cap) fracture or luxation
- Myelopathies – diseases of the nervous system
Hi.
We have a male Tosa-inu (also known as Japanese mastiff) named Lennox. He’s only 16 months old and weighs about 140LBs.
Last Friday evening, I noticed his right knee was making some odd noise. It was rather loud clicking sound. When I made him sit, it happened. The sound was so disturbing, I immediately thought something was not right. I checked his right knee and bend it and it made the clicking sound. It really made me worried although he didn’t show any abnormality other than the clicking sound. We waited until Monday and took him to the vet.
He took two x-rays but could not determine what is causing this problem. (Looking back, The vet indicated that around the top of his tibia which was a bit worn so it might be a sign of arthritis) He thought it could be just a regular sprain but he also thought it could be CCL related injury. If the later is the case, he’ll need surgery, he said. He gave us anti inflammatory medication and a bottle of glucosamine to see how he does in next 2~3 weeks. He also said that then he’ll have me stop the medication in another 2~3 weeks to see how he does (while continuing glucosamine supplement)
After I’ve got home, I started researching about canine knee injury and its related injuries. Then , I found this site. More I read the articles on this site, more I was convinced that Lennox’s problem might not just be ordinary sprain. I decided to ask my vet to give me some referral to some orthopedic specialists. It’s just my personality. I need to know what is really going on and I really want the accurate diagnosis. I feel even if it costs a lot more for just diagnosis but I believe correct diagnosis will lead to better and right treatment.
It’s very hard to determine his actual problem by myself. Obviously I’m not a vet but I have tried few things to see if his knee actually has ACL or other ligament problem. The clicking sound his knee’s been making is the obvious symptom of injured ligament. He also doesn’t tuck his right knee under his body when he sits, instead, he moves his knee outward (sideway). Those two things are my main concern at this moment and the reason why I’m suspecting it as some type of ligament injury.
However, I still can’t define what exactly it might be because the way Lennox moves now. He is not limping or favoring at all. He also walks fine and doesn’t bear weight or touch the ground on his toe. He is not hesitant to run or jump (which is the problem. It’s really hard to make him not run around.)
Also I have tried “drawer” test by myself but could not see the problem. (His tibia didn’t slide forward) The vet didn’t do this test yesterday and I was not aware of this test at that time.
Anyway, I continue to research this issue and by the mean time, I also plan on making an appointment to see the orthopedic specialist to get his opinion. If we could treat this matter without surgery, it’d be great and I’d definitely prefer that way but if the surgery is necessary, then we’ll have to decide which way of surgery we’d opt for.
It’s really hard for me to think about this. Lennox is only 16 months old and I never thought I’d have to deal with this type of issue. I regret many things I did with him (mainly wrestling with him and playing too rough on him and many long walking, etc.) but it’s too late. It was real hard this morning not to do regular walk and instead, just go around the block and let him pee and sniff things. (Which I don’t consider as “walk”.) It was also hard not to let him play with me. He always wants to play and he loves being chased. I could not do that last night. So, next few weeks (at least) we have to lower his activity level. We also decided to cut his food. He’s not over weight by any means (He’s in great shape) but since we have to cut his exercise level, he might gain his weight and that’s not good for the knee. So I decided to do that, just for precaution.
Obviously, Lennox is a very important family member for me so just thinking about this issue makes me sad and depressed.
-naoki
Naoki: I have a 4 year old tosa who just had his second ACL surgery. Both kness have been operated on. He was two years old when his first one occurred and now he is four years old. It is a very debilitating process both pre-op and post-op recovery. Please let me know how your dog is doing. The surgery was performed in North Jersey using a fish-line technique. It worked well on the first knee. The second knee seems to take a longer rehab period. Since your post was made in Feb. 2009, you have probably already had surgery and Lennox has already recuperated. I hope so. Good Luck. Joe
I too have a story on Tosa Knee injuries.
I’m having some dog problems. Specifically related to my Tosa’s back legs.
I just got back from the Ortho Surgens and she needs double corrective surgery on her hind legs.
Prognosis is Patellar Luxation (knee cap’s keep slipping out of their groove inward).
It’s happening quite often now, more over the last couple of weeks.
The doctors are saying that it’s a gene thing and just bad luck I guess because Tosa’s aren’t known to have this problem.
She started showing signs of trouble a month ago and I thought the problem was a result of an injury. Apparently it wasn’t an injury, but the knee cap popping out for the first time.
I’m deathly afraid that she’s going to have some long term problems, and we love this dog so much, but I’m looking at a pretty large bill.
The surgens commented on how straight her hind legs are….in the front as you look at the back leg. Normally they say, dogs will have a (dog legged crook to their hind legs). But neither do any of the other Tosa’s I’ve seen online, so I suspect that’s just an observation, and not attibuting to the problem.
The more I research it, the more instances I see of Great Danes and some mastiff’s having this occur.
Just thought I’d keep you in the loop, as I’m sure you’d like to hear of such things.
I talked to her siblings owners and they haven’t had any problems, so I’m wondering how the gene thing is a possibility.
I guess she’s just a little more prone than them, dunno.
I’ve been taking great care to allow her to take it very easy on it, but still walking her (on lead only).
She eats very well, but is not overweight by any means….90lbs today actually.
Have you heard of this before, do you think it may correct itself, etc?