Tag Archives: veterinary surgery

CCL Injury in Both Back Legs

Jun 15th, 2008

CCL Injury in Both Back Legs

It is not unusual for dogs who have a cranial cruciate ligament rupture in one leg to develop one in the other leg. It is a little unusual to have two severe ruptures at the same time, but it does occur, especially in large breed dogs or overweight canines. Generally the signs of this [...]

Does My Dog Need a Meniscus?

May 30th, 2008

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). [...]

May 8th, 2008

Questions to Ask Your Vet Prior to CCL Surgery

If you and your veterinarian have decided to take surgical approach (TTA, TPLO, traditional/extracapsular/lateral suture repair, Tightrope) to correcting your dog’s cranial cruciate ligament rupture, you will want to be prepared for what to do prior to your dog’s knee surgery. The following checklist will provide a general idea of talking points to discuss [...]

TPLO vs. TTA for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair

May 1st, 2008

TPLO vs. TTA for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair

TPLO, or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, and TTA, or tibial tuberosity advancement, are two very new and biomechanically similar surgical techniques. Both the TPLO and TTA create stability within the dog stifle by altering the angle of the knee and using implants to hold the knee in place while the joint heals in its [...]

TTA Repair Postop Recovery

May 1st, 2008

TTA Repair Postop Recovery

One of the benefits of the newest of the cranial cruciate repair surgeries, the TTA, is the length of time required before your dog can return to exercise and a life without restrictions. Because the ostoeotomy (cutting of the bone) in the tibial tuberosity advancement procedure is done in a non weight bearing area [...]

TTA Repair Complications

May 1st, 2008

TTA Repair Complications

For both humans and animals alike, any surgical procedure carries a risk of complications. You dog should have a full evaluation done, complete with blood work and other baseline testing, prior to surgery to help minimize any risks. Pre-surgical testing can often diminish the risk of death from anesthesia and other preventable complications related to [...]

TTA Surgical Procedure

May 1st, 2008

TTA Surgical Procedure

TTA is the abbreviation for tibial tuberosity advancement.  The TTA is among the newer techniques for cranial cruciate ligament repair of the canine stifle, making its appearance roughly 10 years ago. The TTA technique was developed in 2002 at the University of Zurich, and, biomechanically speaking, the procedure is very similar to the TPLO, [...]

Apr 30th, 2008

Extracapsular CCL Repair Complications

For both humans and animals alike, any surgical procedure carries a risk of complications. You dog should have a full evaluation done, complete with blood work and other baseline testing, prior to surgery to help minimize any risks. Pre-surgical testing can often diminish the risk of death from anesthesia and other preventable complications related [...]

Extracapsular Imbrication Surgery, Traditional Repair Procedure

Apr 30th, 2008

Extracapsular Imbrication Surgery, Traditional Repair Procedure

In the extracapsular imbrication, also known as the traditional method and lateral fabellar surgery, your dog will have a strong leader line placed within the knee to provide stabilization. Some veterinarians will only perform this procedure on small dogs and cats, while others will use the technique on dogs of all sizes. There [...]

TPLO Complications

Apr 29th, 2008

TPLO Complications

For both humans and animals alike, any surgical procedure carries a risk of complications. You dog should have a full evaluation done, complete with blood work and other baseline testing, prior to surgery to help minimize any risks; this pre-surgical testing can often diminish the risk of death from anesthesia. Overall, complications with [...]