Does My Dog Need a Meniscus?
When there is a joint injury like a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture, it is important for the vet to try to preserve the menisci to the greatest extent possible. Loss of all or part of a stifle’s meniscus has the potential to accelerate the breakdown of articular cartilage with resultant DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease). The more of the meniscus that is lost through injury or through surgical removal, the less stable the joint will be in future, and the greater the potential for DJD, i.e. arthritis. The risk of further damage to the menisci is minimized by greatly reducing activity after ligament injury while the dog’s body re-establishes stability in the joint. Read the rest of this entry »
It is common for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament damage to also have injury to the mensicus. Simply put, the meniscus is a secondary structure in the knee that helps to provide lubrication for the joint, while also functioning in shock absorption and weight bearing. The menisci (plural for meniscus) are pads between the bones of the joint that function in stability, load sharing, transmission of force, and shock absorption, in addition to joint lubrication. It is important to understand that after a ligament injury the menisci are vulnerable to further damage because of the instability of the stifle. Maintaining proper restriction during recovery by avoiding all stressful actions like running & jumping will minimize the risk of further meniscal injury, as well as provide the best conditions for the re-stabilization of the stifle and healing of any meniscal injuries that occured at the time of the original ligament damage.