Leah's TPLO leg is hurting so bad

[Leahjean]

My Leah has been in so much pain this week Nothing will help,I called the Med/vet and ask for the surgeon for her TPLO to see her as quickly as possible and I am going in about an hour( 3 hour trip one way) She had the surgery in November!!She has just been laying all week ,if she gets up she cries,like I told you before,I took her to her vet last week her vet here says he can't feel anything wrong,said he thought it was arthritis,I know she has that,but this is different pain and can't seem to be relieved ,,I feel like something is pinched while healing or callus formation ,(Bone healing) may have left a sharp place,I just know this is not right and it's not just arthritis or ramadyl or something would work and it won't so off we go,I can't bear to see her lay like that,what kind of life is that,while Baron plays and everything she just lays on her bed on the porch,Say a Prayer,cross fingers or whatever you do that it is nothing too serious and that we might have a safe trip....Thanks and hugs.....

[alex221]

I'm so sorry Leah is in pain, and I think you're doing the right thing. Only her surgeon will be able to figure out what's going on with that leg now. My Alex had his first TPLO 18 months ago, and the second one last October but we've never experienced what you're going through.

I'm praying the surgeon can spot what's wrong and take care of it quickly so poor Leah will be comfortable and continue to heal.

Best of Luck and let us know how it goes.

[Anne]

Think of you Leahjean and praying for you. Please keep us updated on Leah's condition. I would like to know what the ortho thinks as well.

Our first TPLO went like a dream but the second one had a few complication.
My thoughts and best wishes are coming your way.

[mmgy]

Be safe, and don't worry too much while you're driving. Let us know what they say!

[flyballmom]

I agree Leahjean. Sounds like something is not quite right in there....I had a couple questions I was going to ask, but see you're probably on you way to the ortho. I'd be doing the same. Let us know what he says. Thinking good thoughts for your girl...

[Bucky's Mom]

Sending good wishes and safe trip vibes your way!!!!

[Leahjean]

Thank you all my friends for being so careing...The trip was pretty rough with my pain being worse from worry and Rain-Rain -Rain,anyway it seems to not have been a productive trip as well,X-ray showed the leg was great, good range of motion she showed no pain for him, except he did see her limping and not being able to steady herself,so he said" I know something is wrong,so don't think I don't see it,I just can't find it," He manipulated her spine to see if any pain there,No!!! checked the front legs,nothing,so now he and I are both stumped.. I asked my questions,everything I thought it might be,he said it would show if anything was pinched or such,..He.Put her on prednisone 25mg. X 2 daily, I don't like the drug,but I really don't like any of them,He said if it were arthritis ,ramadyl would work best,but since ramadyl isn't working she has imflamation somewhere else, His final remarks ,were to call him in 2 weeks and if she is not any better,he will take the TPLO out...I don't feel at all satisfied,he has a Masters in Pain management in dogs as well as his orthapedic abilities...and only can say he will take the object out and then what????? if he feels that isn't it what have we accomplished to give my Baby girl some relief....She is laying on the porch now, I gave her a bone,but she has finished it, it's a bad day out so not much else she can do as far as going into the yard,last weekend she laid on the Warm gravel in our driveway (ouch) and on the lawn in the sun,.. He also said ,dogs with legs flopping or even 3 legs will run and play,She is a happy girl and loves to be petted and belly rubs, but you just can't do that all day as it doesn't get her moving about...I am still perplexed,reading alot this morning and trying to get some benifit from my heating pad...Poor baby Leah doesn't like heat or cold on her leg,but maybe it's not her leg,who knows,one of you said you had a couple of questions,but that I was already gone,would you ask me now,and has prednisone helped yours if taken, I quess we are not talking just surgery pain now ,so why is she limping on that leg, I took her to the best place I know of and one of the best DVM specialists,now what,just pray and wait??? again I appreciate you all...hugs

[Silvermarten]

I'm sorry to hear of the 'still a mystery' pain for your girl . Unfortuantly I've no suggestions but am sending some good thoughts for a speedy recovery your way .

(((Hugs)))

[mmgy]

Well, one little good thing is that HE saw her limping too, so at least you can gain comfort from knowing that he KNOWS her limp is real. I hope the pred makes it go away.....

[alex221]

if she is not any better,he will take the TPLO out...

I don't understand this, what does he mean "take the TPLO out". Does he mean take the pins/screws out? Our surgeon told us that he doesn't remove hardware until a year after surgery. I'm assuming X-rays would have shown if the pin was backing out or had moved in some way.

I wish I had some other suggestions for you.....other than getting another opinion from another ortho surgeon. I hope the Pred helps her, it must be terrible seeing your girl in pain.

Please keep us informed on how Leah is managing, we'll be thinking of you.

[BostonRott]

What about some bloodwork? CBC to see if she has an infection (perhaps at the site?). Lyme/tick panel?

[Anne]

Our orthosurgeon has made no mention at all about removing the hardware. Is this normally done? I thought it was there for life.

[Judi W]

I had heard of them removing the hardware and asked my vet about it and he said yes, they do this and everything is fine. Sometimes it just must be done. The joint does not fall apart because the material has completed building. A friend of mine had the hardware removed on her girl and she is completely sound although going through a bit of rehab. That is what had stimulated me to ask my vet.

[Anne]

Interesting indeed. Is there a specific reason for removing the hardware? Is it a recommended course of action in USA? Is it a common procedure?

As a person who has had a spinal fusion, I am sporting titanium in my back as well and it causes no problems whatsoever...8 years down the track.

My dog has titanium in both knees and though the second surgery deveoped a few complications in the aftermath, the ortho has not suggested removing the hardware.

What would be the benefit in removing the hardware?

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by Anne

Interesting indeed. Is there a specific reason for removing the hardware? Is it a recommended course of action in USA? Is it a common procedure?

As a person who has had a spinal fusion, I am sporting titanium in my back as well and it causes no problems whatsoever...8 years down the track.

My dog has titanium in both knees and though the second surgery deveoped a few complications in the aftermath, the ortho has not suggested removing the hardware.

What would be the benefit in removing the hardware?

My understanding is that if you live in cold weather or the dog is in cold water (duck hunting, etc) that the hardware will get cold and cause pain. So the metal is removed after healing is complete to avoid this.