Comments on: Does My Dog Need a Meniscus?

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:51:56 +0000

What is the average cost for this surgery?

Thanks,
Rick

By: trish

trish — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:17:46 +0000

My 65 lb Lab had the ACL surgery (tightrope)1 1/2 yrs ago but he is still not “right”. He runs but afterwards he keeps his leg up and won’t put pressure on it. Even when he is not active you can see that he does not put weight on it like he does the other leg that has not had a tear. We took him to the Ortho vet today and she wants to go back in and repair his meniscus amd remove the implant from his prior surgery (she did not take xrays). I really do not want to put him through another surgery (he had the original surgery and had to have another surgery because the line came untied). Does anybody have an opinion on what I should do? I have read that there are some holistic things to try but I’m unsure of what to try. Any advice would be appreciated.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:57:41 +0000

I should add that my dog is only 2 years old…she’ll be 3 years old at the end of May.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:46:50 +0000

Hi. My dog had acl surgery (tightrope)on both of her hind knees last year March. She is a bullmastiff and is about 125 pounds. After surgery she went through some periods of lameness where she would seem to limp on one of the legs and then eventually get better (she still shuffled when she walked, but got along fine). She just started limping pretty badly again. The surgeon said that he wanted to give her some time to see if the problem repairs on it’s own with giving her rimadyl (anti-inflammatory) and tramadol for pain as we’ve done in the past. However, it’s been about 10 days of the limping. The surgeon said that if she does not improve in about one month, we could consider doing a laproscopy procedure again on both knees to check out the menisci and possibly tighten up the knees if need be. What is your suggestion and for how long will this help her if we do decide to go with another surgery? Thanks for your help.
Jen

By: Max

Max — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:50:01 +0000

Hi,
I see you have utilized a good deal of my writing here at your website. I am happy to have you do that. My purpose is to help dogs, not to be possessive of my research. Your website provides a valuable resource to people facing dogs’ stifle injury problems & I am pleased to have your website use my writing. However, I would appreciate a link to my website on yours in recognition of your use of my work product. But my main reason for writing today is to point out to you that I have added to the information on my ‘Meniscal Info’ page about the common surgical practice of Meniscal Release, and suggest that you might like to include some part of this on your website also. ‘Meniscal Release’ is seldom explained to clients as what it in fact is– a way of reducing the risk of post-op crush injury to the meniscus by altering the attachment of the meniscus, removing it from functional position to a great extent.
Wishing you continued success with your efforts to help dogs,
Max

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:26:29 +0000

Todd M: I am in Canada, so I am not overly familiar with ortho surgeons in S Cal, but one name I have seen mentioned over & over again, with nothing but positive feedback, is Dr Andrew Sams of Mill Valley, CA.

http://www.thesamsclinic.com/index.html

Here is a website with feedback from some of his clients.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sams-clinic-mill-valley

I hope that helps.

By: Todd M

Todd M — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:44:35 +0000

Cindy
Thank you for your quick response. I will get him to an ortho surgeon a.s.a.p. Do you have any recommendations for a good Ortho Vet in So Cal? On the bright side, he doesn’t appear to be in too much pain as he is quite active…more than we would like.
I will update this blog when I know more. I really grateful there is a site like this out there.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:39:56 +0000

Note to Todd M: If your dog underwent the Tightrope procedure & is still experiencing lameness 10 months later, I would strongly urge you to seek a second opinion from another ortho surgeon. I would also recommend you get the leg x-rayed. There have been many cases of the fibretape abrading the bone & causing the bone tunnel to expand. This is a complication the surgeons have been reluctant to talk about or admit. It could also be a case of torn meniscus due to the knee remaining unstable. In both cases, your dog could be experiencing considerable pain. A torn meniscus will not heal on its own & will need further surgical repair.

By: Todd M

Todd M — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:46:27 +0000

My 2 yr old Golden Retriever (Male-100 lbs.)developed what appeared to be a meniscus tear post CCL surgery. He had a TR procedure for a CCL on his right rear stifle. We discussed with the surgeon who recommended continued restriction, which we have been doing for the last 10 months. We have also seen our regular Vet during this period, but he would not recommend a treatment other that seeing another surgeon.
I’m somewhat concerned that we are doing all that needs to be done by treating it only with restriction. He has improved, but very slowly. Only occasional clicking and he can walk okay, but not normal. You mention that it may take years for the tissue to regenerate and this may be what we are experiencing. Any advise or comments would be appreciated.
Thanks!

By: Jan Manor

Jan Manor — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:25:09 +0000

My Corgi tore her meniscus while twisting to scratch her back end. The emergency vet I took her to said surgery would be the best thing for her, but I disagree. It has been a week, now, and I’m keeping her as still as possible. I fully agree with the article I just read that she CAN heal without surgery. It’s just going to take a while to get her back to walking, again.