Cruciate ligament injuries occur in dogs for a number of reasons. At certain times, it is the result of athletic injury in healthy dogs. This could be the case when the dog lands on the wrong foot when it is running or jumping. As is expected, obese or overweight dogs are likely to get these kinds of injuries because they have weakened joints due to their weight. There are many techniques involved in dog ligament surgery.
First and foremost, one has to determine that indeed the injury in question is indeed affecting the ligaments. During the first days of the injury, the animal will be unable to effectively put their weight on a single leg. This is because the affected legs become lame over time. Even if the animal was to have a lot of rest, the lameness is unlikely to stop. Depending on how severe the injury is, it is possible that there will be swelling of joints within the first 24 hours.
Whenever the animal moves, it is bound to experience some pain at the stifle. If however the particular injury occurred some time before the examination of the veterinary officer, the pain may not necessarily be there. For purposes of diagnosing the rupture in cranial cruciate ligament rupture, the doctor has to perform a complete physical and orthopedic examination. This focuses on the affected leg.
Whereas surgery is one of the best modes of treatment, it is not recommended for small dogs. These are able to get treated through the use of painkillers. After such treatment, it is likely that the animal will develop arthritis. In order to strengthen thigh muscles when treatment is over, physical therapy is recommended. Large dogs are treated using surgical methods.
One option of surgery is lateral suture repair. This involves the use of a thick filament that resembles a fishing line. It is placed in such a way that it serves the function of the cranial cruciate ligaments. In so doing, stability is provided to the joint while the stifle heals. After the knee joint is opened, it is inspected and any ligaments that are torn removed.
In case the meniscus is torn, the portions that are damaged are removed. Thereafter, a suture is passed close to the fabella through a hole that is drilled at the front of the tibia. By tightening the joint, it prevents motion of the drawer and effectively takes over the functions of the cruciate ligaments.
Tibia Plateau Leveling Osteotomy is recommended for all large dogs. In this, the tibia gets cut, the joint angle changed, then a metal plate and screws are placed across the cut for altering joint mechanics and thus eliminating need for CCL to maintain stability. This surgery involves cutting the tibia and rotating it such that the natural ability of dogs to bear weight stabilizes the knee joint. Depending on the degree of damage, cruciate ligament remnants may or may not be removed.
At any given moment when cruciate ligament muscles get torn, the tibial plateau needs to get repositioned at 90 degrees to each other. This is the only way they will be able to deal with shear forces generated when dogs walk. This is the idea used in Tibial Tuberosity Advancement, TTA. The affected leg will remain bandaged for a week after surgery, and the animal is required to remain docile during this period. Choice of dog ligament surgery depends on the individual plus severity of injury.
First and foremost, one has to determine that indeed the injury in question is indeed affecting the ligaments. During the first days of the injury, the animal will be unable to effectively put their weight on a single leg. This is because the affected legs become lame over time. Even if the animal was to have a lot of rest, the lameness is unlikely to stop. Depending on how severe the injury is, it is possible that there will be swelling of joints within the first 24 hours.
Whenever the animal moves, it is bound to experience some pain at the stifle. If however the particular injury occurred some time before the examination of the veterinary officer, the pain may not necessarily be there. For purposes of diagnosing the rupture in cranial cruciate ligament rupture, the doctor has to perform a complete physical and orthopedic examination. This focuses on the affected leg.
Whereas surgery is one of the best modes of treatment, it is not recommended for small dogs. These are able to get treated through the use of painkillers. After such treatment, it is likely that the animal will develop arthritis. In order to strengthen thigh muscles when treatment is over, physical therapy is recommended. Large dogs are treated using surgical methods.
One option of surgery is lateral suture repair. This involves the use of a thick filament that resembles a fishing line. It is placed in such a way that it serves the function of the cranial cruciate ligaments. In so doing, stability is provided to the joint while the stifle heals. After the knee joint is opened, it is inspected and any ligaments that are torn removed.
In case the meniscus is torn, the portions that are damaged are removed. Thereafter, a suture is passed close to the fabella through a hole that is drilled at the front of the tibia. By tightening the joint, it prevents motion of the drawer and effectively takes over the functions of the cruciate ligaments.
Tibia Plateau Leveling Osteotomy is recommended for all large dogs. In this, the tibia gets cut, the joint angle changed, then a metal plate and screws are placed across the cut for altering joint mechanics and thus eliminating need for CCL to maintain stability. This surgery involves cutting the tibia and rotating it such that the natural ability of dogs to bear weight stabilizes the knee joint. Depending on the degree of damage, cruciate ligament remnants may or may not be removed.
At any given moment when cruciate ligament muscles get torn, the tibial plateau needs to get repositioned at 90 degrees to each other. This is the only way they will be able to deal with shear forces generated when dogs walk. This is the idea used in Tibial Tuberosity Advancement, TTA. The affected leg will remain bandaged for a week after surgery, and the animal is required to remain docile during this period. Choice of dog ligament surgery depends on the individual plus severity of injury.
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