Comments on: Extracapsular Imbrication Surgery, Traditional Repair Procedure

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:45:10 +0000

@Mike. Hope the surgery went well. We have a 4 1/2 yr old female boxer (Ginger). She is having TPLO surgery on BOTH knees at the same time on 4/17. We agonized over the decision, especially to do both at once, but after much consultation with her doc, he assured us we were doing the right thing. She has reached a point of not bearing weight on either of her rear legs. He left was the worst, and the right was showing arthritis already, but now it seems to be just as bad as the left.
So, even though Mona is having a different procedure, I am curious to hear how the double knee procedure goes for you guy.
Good luck!

By: mike

mike — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:20:24 +0000

..revising Monas procedure description:

Fascial graft with Lateral suture stabilization

By: mike

mike — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:27:37 +0000

Found an interesting site with more info..

http://www.mobilevetsurgeon.com/cruciateruptureinfo.html

By: mike

mike — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:25:16 +0000

Our 2.5 year old pit-beagle (?) “Short-cut”; MONA is having BOTH knees done today. Our surgen is using lateral suture with extracapsular imbrication. Vet said doing both will help overall healing process.

Same office in Catonsville, MD took care of our pit-boxer “too-tall”; VINNY using only Lateral suture. One knee then the other went about 1.5 years later (common). Vinny is now 9 years and doing great. We have kept him on the lean side and think it helps.

We understand the rehab and lucky Mona is only 36 lbs Vinny is 65!!

Mike

By: JennB

JennB — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 13:09:12 +0000

Thanks Chris!

It’s going to cost me $1200 all in. I live near Ottawa, ON, Canada.

I also have 2 female Rotties who are only 6 months…REALLY hoping they do not encounter this kind of problem!!! =)

At least with Trigger being done with 2 different kinds of surgeries I can have an opinion on which I like best and would know what to do with Kona & Lexis (the pup rotties) if ever it came to it..

Appointment booked for April 4th and hoping for the best! =)

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 23:48:39 +0000

Jen,
My Rottie is still running like a puppy! I actually had (2) female Rotties. Both Rotties had the same surgery to both back legs early in life with no problems. My first female Rottie was 14 when we lost her and she was not showing signs if knee pain when she went. My current girl is going strong on double rear knee surgeries. My Vet says when one knee goes it puts stress on the good knee. If you are lucky the good knee hangs on until the 1st surgery is healed but it seems inevitable that when one knee needs surgery the second knee will need it also. I’m not sure what part of the country you are in but the Extrascapular surgery here in central Ohio is about $1k. Best of luck to Trigger and you ;^)
Chris

By: JennB

JennB — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:16:29 +0000

Hi,

I have a 90lbs Rottie which tore his right ACL back in November and had TPLO surgery done on him in January 2012. Yesterday was his 2 month post-op x-rays and everything healed well. I still have 4 months of recovery to do with him regarding that leg, but the “critical part” is done and over with, THANK GOD! =)

NOW…his left ACL is torn (tore about 2 weeks ago) and I am not looking to get TPLO done…too expensive and invasive!!! I spoke to my vet and he feels comfortable doing ExtraCapsular OP on him with 120lbs rope.

I’ve seen a few stories about large dogs getting this procedure done, but was wondering if there were more.

The thing that worries me the most is that SOOO many people have said this procedure isn’t good on large dogs. Other than that, I feel comfortable with this OP instead of TPLO or TTA!

Any comments for dogs that weight over 90lbs??

By: JennB

JennB — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:02:44 +0000

Hi Tammy,

How is your baby doing? I also have 3 Rotties…one of them who seems to always have problems..first came the elbows, then the right ACL and now the left ACL!

For the first ACL I got TPLO done, which is SO expensive and invasive, but so far so good! He got his 2 months post-op x-rays done yesterday and seemed to have healed well =)

For the left ACL, which tore about 2 weeks ago, I am not looking to do TPLO. Not that anything went wrong, but that it’s too expensive and invasive! I am now looking at ExtraCapsular ..which seems to have mixed-reviews for large dogs, but it seems to be a good option. Since he has one “solid” leg now, I’m less worried to get this method done. If it does ever break (God forbid), at least he’ll still have the right leg which is now of steel haha..a little more encouraging!

How did you like TTA? I looked into TTA also, but it is also very expensive (I’m almost at $10,000 with my baby…I love him, but that’s ALOT of $$$)! so chose not to look into TTA more…

How is her 2nd leg doing with conservative management?

By: JennB

JennB — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:50:54 +0000

Hi Helene,

It is never easy to decide what is best for our babies! This is the way I did it for my Rottie when he tore his first ACL and had TPLO surgery done (I believe any surgery will have similar post-op obligations and restrictions).

So for the first 2 weeks, my boy had to be bed rest and only go out for potty breaks..no jumping, pulling etc. Always help him with a towel up and down stairs also!

After the 2-3 to the about 5-6th week mark, I could slowly start leash walking him, but only for 5 minutes at a time and about 2-3 times a day. Then from week 5-6, he could leash walk for about 10minutes at a time.

Every week you add an extra 2-5 minutes…but never longer than 20 minutes and only about 3 times a day!

After your about 4months post-op, if everything seems to be doing better, then you can walk longer (but always pay attention to his comfort). There is no loose running or rough playing or anything like that until 6+ months!

I guess the most important is have him on leash for the first 6 months…gradually increase lenghts of walks about a few weeks..and NEVER let him go up and down stairs on his own until the 6 months mark!

Good luck =)

By: JennB

JennB — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:40:33 +0000

Chris,

Thanks for the info about the Rotties! I have a Rottie who is 90lbs and he tore his right ACL back in November and had TPLO done on him in January. It cost about $4000 (yikes!!), but had x-rays done yesterday (2months mark) and it seems to be doing really well.

He now tore his left ACL..about two weeks ago, and I spoke to my Vet about different options for him as I do not want to do TPLO again (too expensive and too invasive!). He recommended a few options which one was ExtraCapsular. I am leaning towards this since it’s less expensive and way less invasive! My Vet will be using 120lbs rope to do it (normally it’s 80lbs rope) so I really hope everything goes well!

I’ve heard so many stories about ExtraCapsular not working on big dogs, but I have faith for my Trigger boy that this will work for him! =)