Sasha has a torn ACL.

[Michael C.]

Man, I feel bad for her. We were in the back yard and she was chasing my remote control 4x4 truck as usual. We came inside and she was walking on 3 legs. We just went to the vet and he did a few tests and said she has a torn ACL. She is scheduled for surgery next Tuesday.

Anyone else gone through this ? Just wondering what to expect as far as recovery time and will she ever be 100% again. She just turned 5.

[Michael C.]

another thing, Her rear legs or leg seemed to have been bothering her for the past few months but we couldn't figure out what was wrong. X-rays came back negative etc. I think that maybe the ligament had a tear in it all along and she finally ruptured it. Just a hunch.

[flyballmom]

Yes, twice, and yes, Charleigh got back to 100% again, playing flyball, hiking and backpacking. Expect 8 weeks of severely restricted activity, followed by progressively longer walks, trots, runs, etc. Unfortunately lots of us here have experienced this. What type of surgery is she having?

Originally Posted by Michael C.

Anyone else gone through this ? Just wondering what to expect as far as recovery time and will she ever be 100% again. She just turned 5.

[Michael C.]

I believe he said Cruciate Ligament Repair. Vet said it was very common in large powerful dogs.

[flyballmom]

Yes, but...there are a couple different approaches to that. There is traditional repair (several different varieties) and TPLO. I'd do a search on both, find out which one your surgeon is planning, fully inform yourself of each procedure and make your decision from there.

Originally Posted by Michael C.

I believe he said Cruciate Ligament Repair. Vet said it was very common in large powerful dogs.

[JBCB]

Michael,

I just wanted to add our experience. The same thing happened to one of our girls, Kaeleigh, when she was around 3 -- playing, yelped, not walking on her left hind leg. As I was away, my wife took her to our vet (at that time), and he diagnosed an ACL tear and advised (and did) a repair. He said this was to be an external repair (not going into the joint), and her recovery time would be a few weeks.

When a few weeks turned into a few months we got a 2nd opinion and a referral to a local Vet College, where an orthopedic surgeon looked at her. It was discovered that she had a torn meniscus (cartilege) in the same knee, and when he went in to fix it found out that her ACL's were both intact! Our other vet had repaired something that wasn't broken!! If he had done an internal repair he would have found the meniscal tear and fixed it, instead of letting us believe the problem had been repaired, and keeping Kaeleigh in pain for several months!

The problem with the internal repair is a LONG convalescence period (at least 3-4 months), where you have to keep Sasha quiet (and I mean off the leg as much as possible) for the entire time. I have heard of the TPLO repair but know nothing about it, so can't comment. (Sorry )

I have to say that it is very uncommon to have a meniscal tear without a corresponding ligament tear, but still, if Sasha doesn't have to go through what Kaeleigh did then I'm sure you'll be happy in the long run. BTW we have a new (and wonderful) vet!

[jas'smom]

One of mine went through this surgery too. It took about 2 months for him to recover along with slow gradual workouts. He was back to his old active self after though, well worth all the worry and work

[Michael C.]

Thanks, I really like our Vet. He has done 20+ of these surgeries so I am comfortable with him. He said we could take her to a orthopedic surgeon If we preferred but I like our vet.

[JD102175]

Brodie tore his ACL almost a year ago. After asking questions here and doing some research we decided to go with the TPLO repair. It was more expensive than the traditional but from what I had found out it is better for large breed, active dogs. I would definately go with the TPLO surgery as I have heard that the traditional repair does not always work for large active dogs. My vet did not do the surgery. I found one that was about 30-40 min. away that is certified to do TPLO's and was very happy with him, his clinic and staff. If they weren't 30-40min. away I'd probably switch to them for all of our vet stuff.


As far as recovery it took 2-3 months for Brodie to be back at 100%. He was not allowed to do anything for the first 3-4 weeks. No running, jumping or even much walking. He was allowed to go outside to potty only and for the first 2-3 weeks we towel walked him for that.

Jaime

[Michael C.]

What is TPLO ? My wife wan'ts to take her to an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion (not that we think her ACL is fine but just to talk to someone else).

[flyballmom]

THANK YOU, Mrs. Michael C! Go here...www.lauriebryce.com/tplo Click on links. Read the stories she has on her page, good and bad. It really is a very personal decision. And...it isn't so much the procedure you choose, but the skill level of the surgeon. Would YOU want to have ACL surgery done by a doc that had only done 20?? Not me. To find a board certified orthopedist in your area look here www.acvs.org.

Originally Posted by Michael C.

What is TPLO ? My wife wan'ts to take her to an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion (not that we think her ACL is fine but just to talk to someone else).

[Michael C.]

Originally Posted by flyballmom

THANK YOU, Mrs. Michael C! Go here...www.lauriebryce.com/tplo Click on links. Read the stories she has on her page, good and bad. It really is a very personal decision. And...it isn't so much the procedure you choose, but the skill level of the surgeon. Would YOU want to have ACL surgery done by a doc that had only done 20?? Not me. To find a board certified orthopedist in your area look here www.acvs.org.

The DR. My wife called me about is on the list at www.acvs.org. but it did say this: Area of Surgical Emphasis: Small Animal Gen & Ortho Anyway, my wife is a Physical Therapists and she called someone she works with who happens to work on animals. She recommended this particular Dr. I will call and see if I can get an appointment in this week.

[Michael C.]

okay, we have an appointment Thurs at 10:00 am. She said not to feed Sasha anything because he may do surgery that same day.

[flyballmom]

OK...WHOA. Then research, research, more research. Take a look at the links on Laurie Bryce's website, compare the different procedures, and most of all take an objective look at YOUR dog...age, activity level. Then you'll be able to make an informed decision come Thursday.

Originally Posted by Michael C.

okay, we have an appointment Thurs at 10:00 am. She said not to feed Sasha anything because he may do surgery that same day.

[Michael C.]

We have heard several good things about this Dr. and he is supposively top notch. I am sold on using him (unless I get a bad vibe after talking to him) . I will decide on what type of surgery after talking to the Dr. on Thursday. I want to hear what he suggests after looking at Sasha.