Our family pet, Jake is a 3yo Golden Retriever. We basically noticed when he was about two, when he ran or joined us hiking he would be sore. One day he was playing in the snow and he fell through and came in the house breathing heavy and it was real difficult for him to walk or put weight on his leg. You could tell he was in pain. The vet said he had torn his cruciate.

Money was a little tight so we decided on artificial ligament surgery. I am not sure of the name. He came home real sore and cried all night even with pain meds. He did not eat, drink or go to the bathroom for days. Eventually he came around and after 8-12 weeks of following drs weekly orders of short walks to eventually runs he seemed to get better but still not 100%. But he could run again and it was fun to throw tennis balls to him again and watch him run for it!

He is now scheduled for TPLO in 3 days and I am real nervous of putting him through this pain again. I hope this surgery has better results. The Dr thinks he may have torn his original torn knee again so we may have to do another TPLO. We LOVE our dog, but we always have real expensive medical issues with our pets and we have just about depleted our savings and I hope we are not making a mistake in doing all this surgery, putting Jake through pain and I hope he understands we are trying to help him and not punish him.

I hope that he can run and be pain free ASAP!! Unfortunately, it will be winter againg by the time he will be allowed to run again! Thanks for reading and I would love any advice!!!

TPLO vs. Traditional Repair in Large Dogs – Jake is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Here’s my story:

• Luscus, 18 month old Cane Corso, 125lbs
• Level 2 tear right rear CCL
• Occurred at beach when he slipped on a wet rock as 2 dogs jumped on his back (playing)
• After drawer test doctor recommended tplo surgery

Reasons Conservative Management was selected:

• To cut the bone of a dog still growing did not seem reasonable
• Level 2 tear only
• Post surgical complications of TPLO

Conservative Management Treatment:

• Entire floor covered with non slip rugs
• Dog kept in confined area large enough to lay down and stretch when alone
• When I was home, dog confined to single room and kept calm
• Leashed walks, dog always kept to slow walk. Week 1 distance = 0 feet; walked just enough to get to grass
• Week 2 walking distance increased 25 ft only if no setbacks/injuries during week 1
• Each week continued increasing distance per walk
• Always kept dog calm, no playing, jumping, etc.

• Approximately 4 weeks dog was walking normal and wanting to do more
• I waited until end of 6th week to begin rebuilding muscle and ligament strength with light running
• Continued to add time spent running each day, similar to how walking distance was increased each week
• End of week 9 dog was at full activity and strength
• Never had a recurrence or re injury

Personal Comment:

• Even if you opt for surgery – the above recovery period applies
• With all the great braces available conservative management becomes easier

Conservative Management, A Non Surgical CCL Repair – Luscus is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Help!  My dog is limping – Could it be a torn ligament?

This guide is a good starting place for anyone looking for more information on dog knee problems, specifically cruciate ligament injury in dogs.  This article will give an overview of dog knee injuries covering everything from symptoms to recovery.

What is a Cruciate Ligament Injury?

An injury to the CCL (also known as the cranial cruciate ligament and sometimes called the ACL) can cause lameness in dogs, and is one of the most common causes of rear leg lameness. The function of the cruciate ligament in dogs is to stop the femur (large bone at the top of the leg, above knee) and tibia (smaller bone at bottom of leg, below knee) from rubbing against one another. When the cranial cruciate ligament is torn or ruptured the leg loses stability because these bones are now free to move back and forth on top of one another, causing friction, inflammation, possible meniscal injury and eventually arthritis.

During activities with a healthy dog ACL ligament there will be tension on the ligament, preventing the femur from pressing into the tibia, creating a sliding motion for fluid movement. If your dog is walking or running with a cruciate ligament tear there will be no tension on the CCL, allowing the bones to unnaturally move together, causing pain, lameness and an aversion to using the leg. The best way to think of this would be to envision the ligament like a rubber band, but instead of holding the bones together, the rubber band is in place to prevent the bones from coming into contact. When the rubber band is snapped, there is no longer a gliding joint in the knee and there is contact between the bones.

Acute vs. Chronic Causes of Cruciate Ligament Injury

Acute injury is generally associated with trauma. If the CCL (also referred to as ACL because of it’s similar function to the human ACL) is injured acutely it will most often be due to improper rotation of the knee and hyper extension. This can occur in many different ways such as a dog taking a misstep off a curb, stepping into a divot, jumping or becoming stuck, using a jerking motion to free him/herself.

Chronic injury of the canine ACL is generally associated with disease, age related degenerative changes of the ligament, excess weight (obesity) and conformation of the knee joint (certain large breed dogs are more prone to these types of injuries due to the way their back legs are formed). In the case of chronic injury of the cruciate ligament, there is very little that can be done to prevent the injury from taking place.

Size Matters

Small and large dogs fair differently with the same type of ACL injury. Studies have shown that dogs weighing less than about 25 pounds can experience a full recovery from ligament damage without surgery. This is not true in dogs above the 25 pound threshold. While dogs over 25 pounds may appear to be improving with conservative methods, these larger dogs rarely return to their full function without any issue. This is not to say that there has never been a case of a medium to large sized dog recovering from a torn CCL with only conservative management, but does demonstrate that smaller dogs have an easier time fully recovering using the conservative approaches.

Symtoms of a torn, ruptured or injured CCL will vary from dog to dog, and depending on whether the injury was acute or chronic in nature. Some dogs with a fully torn cruciate may only exhibit mild lameness, while others with a tear may not bear any weight on the leg at all. This again varies based on the type of dog, their size and whether other structures within the knee (particularly the meniscus) were also damaged. Below are some of the most common symptoms associated with a dog knee ligament injury.

Symptoms of a Dog ACL Tear:

1. Decreased range of motion.
2. Hind leg extended straight when sitting down (this is known as the sit sign).
3. Crackling noise of bones rubbing against each other – the medical term for this is Crepitus.
4. Dog exhibits signs of pain when knee (stifle) joint is touched.
5. Exercise intolerance.
6. Limited range of motion or mobility.
7. Stiffness, limping or unwillingness to use the leg after exercise.
8. Knee joint is swollen and/or hot to the touch.
9. Thick, tight, hard and/or firm feel to knee.
10. When standing will only place weight on the toe instead of using entire foot (called toe-touching). An early sign of toe-touching is to only have weight on one side of the body when standing.

There are other conditions with symptoms similar to a dog ACL injury such as: arthritis, knee sprain, meniscal injury, hip dysplasia, patellar fracture, patellar luxation, myelopathies, lyme disease and others. Please schedule an appointment with your vet if your dog shows any of the CCL tear symptoms listed above.

What if my dog’s CCL is never repaired?

This, again, depends on their size, breed and a number of other factors. Some dogs without a CCL may do just fine, while others may use the ability to use their leg. One truth for any dog without a supporting knee ligament is the fact that they will be more succeptible to injuring other structures within the knee, particularly the meniscus. The role of the mensicus in the knee is to act as a cushion, and absorb shocks. Damage to the meniscus is serious and typically leads to arthritic change and lameness.

What to Expect During Your First Veterinary Visit for a Suspected CCL Injury

Consultation and Review of Symptoms

Your veterinarian will review your dog’s symptoms and time of onset.  Going through a detailed history will allow your vet to determine if conditions with similar symptoms may be ruled out at this time.

Physical Exam

Walking Gait

Your veterinarian will want to watch your dog walk and run to see how they are balancing their weight and using the affected leg.

Palpation of the Joint

Your veterinarian will touch your dog’s knee to assess the joint looking for signs of:

• Swelling or Inflammation
• Loss of Muscle Tone
• Pain or Soreness
• Range of Motion
• Popping of the Joint
• Fluid Accumulation

Drawer Sign Test

During the drawer test the veterinarian with stabilize your dog’s femur with one hand while manipulating the tibia with the other. If the tibia moves forward, known as a positive drawer because of the way the bone moves similar to a drawer being opened, the ligament is ruptured.   A negative drawer sign does not necessarily mean your canine does not have a cranial cruciate injury, and false negatives can happen if your pet is tense, if the injury is old and if there is arthritis.

Tibial Compression Exam

Another test, similar to the eliciting the drawer sign, is the tibial compression test. During this exam your veterinary physician will stabilize the dog’s femur with one hand, while flexing the ankle with the other. In dogs with a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, the tibia will display forward motion upon flexion of the ankle joint.  Again, a negative tibial compression exam does not rule out a cruciate ligament injury, and many factors can contribute to a false negative result.

How to Test a Dog for a Knee Ligament Injury

X-Rays for CCL Injuries

Radiographs are usually taken, not to diagnose a cruciate ligament injury (soft tissue damage is not clearly visible on x-ray), but to rule out other diseases such as cancer and hip dysplasia. An xray will confirm the presence of fluid in the joint as well as arthritis, which will help to confirm the diagnosis of a cruciate ligament injury.

Ultrasound for CCL Injuries

Ultrasound may be used to positively diagnose a CCL injury. Unfortunately a minority of medical clinics are equipped to do ultrasound, and many veterinarians rely on the results of the consultation with you, physical exam and ruling out any other conditions by x-ray to make the diagnosis of a CCL injury.

My Dog Has Received a Positive Diagnosis of a CCL Injury – What Are My Treatment Options?

There are two major avenues for treating a dog knee ligament injury – conservative management or dog knee surgery.

What Is Conservative Management?

Conservative management is a non-surgical option for treating cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries in dogs. Depending on the size of your dog, the severity of the injury, presence of other damage (particularly to the meniscus – remember, this is the part of the knee that acts as a shock absorber) and the duration of time since the onset CM may be a good option for your dog. As mentioned above, dogs weighing less than 25 pounds tend to have better outcomes using conservative techniques than larger dogs.

A variety of techniques can be used if you choose Conservative Management (CM) for your pet.

Conservative Management Includes:

“Standard” Conservative Management

• Rest – Your dog should remain inactive during the recovery period, abstaining from rough play, prolonged exercise or any movement that may cause any pressure or unwanted movement within the knee joint.
• Weight Control (and reduction if necessary) – One way to reduce stress on the joint is to keep your dog’s weight under control, and if possible, underweight is better during the recovery process.
• Anti Inflammatory Medications – There are a number of Holistic (ex – Yucca Root) and Prescription (ex – Rimadyl) medications available that can help to make your pet more comfortable as the knee heals.

“Optional” Conservative Management

• Dog Knee Brace – There are a variety of dog knee braces available including the orthopets canine stifle brace and atrac dynamic brace.
• Veterinary Acupuncture – Acupuncture for dogs is available, and can help to de-stress your pet as their body heals.
• Veterinary Chiropractic - A chiropractor can work with your dog to make sure your pet is free from any subluxations or other blockages.
• Physical Therapy for Dogs – Working with a certified canine physical therapist can help to ensure your dog maintains muscle tone and range of motion in the leg following their injury.

What Are The Different Types of Surgery for Dog ACL Injuries?

Dog Knee Surgery Options:

TPLO Surgery (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy)

This surgery adjusts the slope of the tibial plateau (preventing unwanted forward motion) by cutting and rotating the top of the tibia, and keeping it in position with a bone plate (which can be removed after healing).

TTA Surgery (tibial tuberosity advancement)

The TTA surgery also focuses on changing the angles of the bones within the knee joint. In a TTA the tibia is cut and moved forward to create stability. The new position of the bone is held into place with a bone plate (which can be removed after healing).

TTO Surgery (triple tibial osteotomy)

The TTO is a combintation of the TPLO and TTA techniques. It moves the tibial crest forward, as a TTA does, and also adjusts the tibial plateau to 90 degrees, as the TPLO does.

Tightrope Surgery

Tightrope CCL is an extra capsular technique using the lateral suture stabilization (LSS) procedure in conjunction with a material called FiberTape to provide bone to bone stabilization.

Extra Capsular Suture (traditional repair, extracapsular imbrication)

This is referred to as a traditional repair because this was once the conventional treatment for CCL tears. The extra capsular suture uses a strong leader line suture in a figure eight pattern around the knee to provide stability and keep the knee in a normal position.

Fibular Head Transposition (fibular head transfer)

The fibular head transfer surgery utilizes another ligament in the knee, the lateral collateral ligament, to take the place of the CCL. In this surgery the fibula is rotated so that the lateral collateral ligament can perform the function of the CCL.

Dog CCL Surgery Recovery

Depending on where the ligament surgery was performed, your dog may stay overnight to be monitored and receive pain medications following the procedure. TPLO surgery recovery can be different from TTA surgery recovery, so it’s important to follow the recommendations of your vet during the post operative period. Your dog’s sutures will be removed within a week or two of the procedure, and follow up appointments are typically done at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. Again, depending on the type of surgery done, radiographs may be done during these follow up appointments.

During the 6-14 week period following surgery it is very important to severely limit your pet’s activities. For approximately three months following dog knee ligament surgery your pet should be confined to a crate, small room or enclosed area when you are not able to be with your pet. You will probably want to make use of a dog cone collar – Elizabethan collars or Pro collars are my favorite. Make sure to post operative doggy proof your house and make sure they have no opportunity to slip, slide, jump up onto furniture, climb up stairs or engage in any activity that may damage the healing knee.

While outside you should accompany your dog for bathroom breaks, and they should always be controlled on a leash – you never know when a post operative dog may get the urge to chase a squirrel! You may increase the length of walks during the recovery period under the recommendation of your veterinarian and judging by how well your dog is recovering. I strongly recommend not letting your dog off leash at all during the first few months following surgery just to be on the safe side. Your veterinarian will most likely encourage you to have your pet use the injured limb immediately following surgery, but do not overdo it. Physical therapy during this time can also be very beneficial, and swimming is a great way to ensure your dog gets to use their leg (helping to maintain strength and muscle mass) without engaging in any activities that may be harmful to the knee.

Cruciate Ligament Injury in Dogs is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Is it an ACL or a CCL when referring to the dog knee?

First, we need to take a look at the anatomy of a canine knee joint. The way the stifle (or knee) in a dog is situated, there is a major ligament located on the anterior of the knee that plays the role of providing stability to the knee joint.  It achieves this stability by attaching to the anterior of the joint, stabilizing the femur on the tibia.  In dogs this ligament is known as the cranial (also sometimes referred to as canine) cruciate ligament, or CCL. There is also a ligament located on the posterior of the knee known as the caudal cruciate ligament which provides secondary support to the joint.

The human knee also has ligaments with anterior and posterior attachments that provide stability.  In humans they are named for these attachment points and known as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, or ACL, and the Posterior Cruciate Ligament, or PCL.

As far as dogs are concerned, the specific acronym used makes very little difference.  If you wish to be anatomically correct, a dog’s knee has a CCL and a human knee has an ACL – but the terms are often used interchangeably because of their similar function in knee stabilization. Dog ACL or CCL, take your pick – we’ve found veterinarians are more likely to call it a CCL and owners are more likely to call it an ACL – either way, we’ll know what you mean!

ACL or CCL Injury in Dogs? is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Have a question related to TPLO surgery, or want a recommendation for a veterinarian performing the Tightrope procedure in your area?

Want to know what the best dog knee brace available is?

Don’t be shy… Post on our NEW Dog Knee Injury Forum!

In response to the high volume of comments a lot of the post have been getting, I’ve opened up the forums as a way for dog owners to connect and discuss their dog’s orthopedic issues with one another.

How to post on the Dog Knee Injury Forum:

1) You must register for a user name to post on the forum.

2) After you’ve registered and retrieved your password from your email, log in (I recommend changing the password to something you’ll remember) and start posting!

3) Keep the comments on topic, and be nice. If anyone encounters any issues on the forum please post in the comments on this page/use the contact form, and I will look into it.

CCL Repair Forum for Dogs is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Timber’s TTA Surgery

Timber is a 6 year old female shepard mix; she is my baby. In August 2006, Timber tore her left ACL and she underwent TPLO. She recovered beautifully from TPLO surgery. Nearly 4 years later, she developed an abscess over her TPLO scar. I took Tim to my local vet, and she said that it looks like it could have been a suture from her surgery that did not dissolve. In for surgery to remove the abscess she went.

After two weeks the abscess started to grow back, so I took her to the surgeons office (who did the surgery 4 years ago), to find out that the stainless steel plate she had, had become infected. He recommended to remove the plate left in after the TPLO surgery. On Feb 7, 2010, Timber went in for plate removal, and on that same day she was also diagnosed with a torn ACL in her right knee. I was told I needed to wait 1 month until she had her right knee operated on because she had 2 types of bacteria growing on the plate in her left leg; she needed a course of antibiotics.

So we waited, and mommy did her research. After plenty of reading I chose the TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) surgery, which uses a titanium plate. I felt that she was at a greater risk of rejecting the stainless steel plate with the TPLO surgery. I did my research on the two type of metals, and titanium seems to be the better of the two, so we went with TTA.

TTA Dog Knee Surgery, Timber’s Story is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

The mechanism for cruciate ligament degeneration prior to rupturing is not clearly understood, but it is clear that certain factors predispose certain dogs to sustaining a cranial cruciate ligament injury. Certain breeds, such as Labradors and Rottweilers (and other large breed dogs), are much more commonly affected than others, as well as dogs that are overweight. This suggests there is an inherited component to the condition, possibly related to conformation or gait and/or the displacement of weight within the stifle (knee) joint. While there is nothing that can be done to prevent CCL injury, by recognizing the symptoms of CCL damage soon after onset you can give your dog a head start with recovery.

What Causes the CCL to Rupture? is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Cranial cruciate ligament tears and ruptures can happen to any dog (or cat, although it is not nearly as common), but there are certain risk factors that make particular breeds of dogs more susceptible to this type of damage. CCL injuries are one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs, and is the most common cause of degenerative joint diseases in the stifle joint, like arthritis. While there is no way any dog can completely avoid their risk of CCL injury, there are a number of risk factors owners should be aware of, especially if they suspect their dog may have injured their stifle (knee).

Age is also a risk factor for CCL injury, and there are two types of CCL onset related to a dog’s age when the injury occurs. Chronic onset, degeneration over time with subsequent rupture (usually from aging), occurs in 80% of cases and occurs in dogs 5 to 8 years old. Acute onset, a tear caused by injury, is most common in dogs under 4 years old. Young dogs of large breeds are more susceptible to rupture than young dogs of small breeds. Older dogs are also at greater risk for CCL tears if they already have arthritis and/or have decreasing musculature, especially surrounding the knee joints.

To sum it up, there is no way you can protect your dog from a CCL injury, but there are risk factors which make dogs more likely to sustain a serious cranial cruciate ligament tear or rupture. Large and giant breed dogs do more commonly sustain CCL injury, but this is usually compounded with other risk factors, which are mentioned below.

Risk Factors in Dogs for CCL Damage:

• Age
• Arthritis
• Previous injury to knee joint
• Overweight
• Large or giant breed
• Poor musculature, especially surrounding the joints
• Structural abnormalities – luxated patella, etc.

Are CCL Injuries More Common in Certain Dog Breeds? is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

If it is suspected that your dog has a cranial cruciate ligament tear or rupture, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam to determine whether or not this type of injury can be ruled out. This test involves manual manipulation of the knee joint and is referred to as the drawer test. Most dogs do not need to be sedated to complete this exam, but you will need to be the judge in determining whether or not this is necessary – if your dog’s joint is particularly painful or they do not have a great track record for excellent behavior at the vet, you may want to consider giving them sedation in order to complete the exam. A normal stifle will not exhibit a positive drawer sign, making a positive drawer an absolute indicator for CCL damage.

During the drawer test the veterinarian with stabilize your dog’s femur with one hand while manipulating the tibia with the other. If the tibia moves forward, known as a positive drawer because of the way the bone moves similar to a drawer being opened, the ligament is ruptured. If the rupture occurred some time ago, there will be swelling on the side of the leg that faces the other leg – this phenomenon is known as a medial buttress and is indicative of arthritis. The presence of a medial buttress, coupled with your dog’s state – if they are anxious or tense – can make it difficult to obtain an accurate drawer sign. Tense muscles can act as false stabilization of the knee, preventing demonstration of the drawer sign upon manipulation; sedation is indicated in these cases.

Your pet’s doctor will take the results from the drawer sign test into consideration when determining a treatment plan for your dog. A negative drawer sign does not necessarily mean your canine does not have a cranial cruciate injury, and the only way to be absolutely sure of injury in the absence of a positive drawer is to have an ultrasound performed; unfortunately not many vets offer this service.

Source:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC339306/ – Diagnosing rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament

Drawer Sign Test and Tibial Compression Exam is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

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:

1. Decreased range of motion.
2. Hind leg extended when sitting – this is known as the sit sign.
3. Crepitus – crackling noise of bones rubbing against each other.
4. Pain – when stifle (knee) joint is touched.
5. Unwilling or resistant to exercise.
6. Restricted mobility or extension.
7. Stiffness after exercise.
8. Swelling of joint.
9. Thick, firm feel to knee are, may be hot to touch.
10. Weight shifted to one side of body when standing.
11. 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:

1. Acute arthritis – related to lyme disease or immune disorders
2. Stifle (knee) joint sprain
3. Meniscus (cartilage within the knee) injury
   
4. Hip dysplasia
5. Patellar (knee cap) fracture or luxation
6. Myelopathies – diseases of the nervous system

Cranial Cruciate (Knee) Injury Symptoms in Dogs is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries