Cruciate ligament disease is a very common condition we see coming into the clinic. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to deal with the injury so that your dog can still enjoy full mobility and comfort after treatment.
Dr Andrea took the time to answer five common questions about Cruciate ligament disease:
1.) What is cruciate ligament disease and what signs should I be looking out for?
Cruciate ligament disease is a term used to describe an injury to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) of the knee in dogs. The cranial cruciate ligament is the same as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that humans can injure. Although dogs can ‘snap’ their CCL in the same way that humans do, most often a degenerative condition where the ligament frays and breaks down over time (chronic strain injury). This is because of differences in the anatomy and the shape or structure of the dog’s knee.
The primary sign of CCL disease is lameness (limping) in the affected back leg. The lameness may be subtle and may come and go but is generally progressive over time. Sometimes the lameness appears very suddenly but sometimes it can be very gradual. Changes in gait can also indicate mild lameness or discomfort which may be due to underlying CCL disease. Dogs are often affected in both back legs which can make a limp much harder to see an instead the dog will spend lots of time sitting, have trouble getting up, have short strides and will be reluctant to jump.
2.) Your dog has been diagnosed with cruciate disease, now what?
CCL disease is an extremely common diagnosis. Generally, the diagnosis is suspected after a full history is taken and a thorough physical examination is completed. This diagnosis is then supported by radiographs, more specific tests and palpation of the affected joint and ultimately confirmed at surgery.
A damaged cruciate ligament, either partial or complete tear is considered a surgical condition – whilst medical management can be used to control pain associated with the condition, surgery is generally recommended to maximise your dog’s long-term comfort and function in that leg.
We are pleased to say Dr Andrea has undertaken further training and qualifications in cruciate surgery and has performed many hundreds of successful surgeries for patients all over the Riverina. Our wonderful vets will help you make the right decision for your pets well being. We offer both TPLO (tibial plateau levelling osteotomy) and extracapsular repair (often called a DeAngelis) here at Wagga Vet Hospital. If we feel your pet requires a specialist, we can assist with referral to a metropolitan specialist.
3.) Is surgery always necessary? Is it a surgery that I could put off?
Surgery is considered the best treatment to maximise comfort and function for the long term. As time goes on, patients with CCL disease will suffer degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) which can progress quite quickly. Whilst surgery is not an option for all owners, it is generally recommended that surgery be performed and that it be performed as soon as reasonably possible – this gives us the opportunity to remove damaged tissue, stabilise the joint and reduce the progression of osteoarthritis.
4.) What is the success rate like?
The prognosis after surgery is good to excellent and we aim for patients to have full function after surgery – the recovery is 8 weeks with a gradual return to exercise and up to 6 months in some. Many patients will have arthritis to manage in the affected knee and regain good function – we can help you with a management plan ongoing. Without surgical stabilisation, particularly in patients >10kg we expect poor limb function, muscle wastage and more severe progressive arthritis.
5.) Are there any supporting activities or supplements that can aid in recovery?
As with many surgeries, the rehabilitation process at home is just as important as the surgery itself. A combination of rehabilitation exercises and graduated return to exercise is used with all patients to manage their recovery. A comprehensive plan and discussion around rehabilitation is provided to all our clients and we are here for the post operative journey to recovery with you for support. We will modify the post operative rehabilitation to each individual. Routine revisits are scheduled throughout the recovery to check on progress and make any adjustments required.