Bree Knee Update

[alexav]

Well, we went for the radiographs today
I had this nagging worry that perhaps it might be the start of OS.

Well the films seem to confirm Doc's diagnosis.
The whole joint looked great! Femur and Tib too! No lesions of any kind, no arthritis, just a beautiful knee...(A beautiful knee that does not work.)

So Doc called in all the measurements for the A-trac brace and they say it will be shipped tomorrow. Yippee!

I will keep you updated on the "installation process" LOL
I hope this works, not only for my not-mentally-ready-to-retire-any-time-soon girl, but for all the Rotties out there that have or will have an injured knee.

[miccmill]

I'll be watching closely.

Hannah's other knee has a loose stiffle and I don't know if the brace will delay or prevent what the vet tells me will be an inevitable cruciate rupture but I"m curious.

[Judi W]

If you have any engineers left over, you can send them out my way.

[alexav]

Originally Posted by miccmill

I'll be watching closely.

Hannah's other knee has a loose stiffle and I don't know if the brace will delay or prevent what the vet tells me will be an inevitable cruciate rupture but I"m curious.

Here's the site for more info. http://www.woundwear.com/home.cfm I think it would help prevent further injury because the thigh muscle begins to atrophy. As I understand it, support to the joint allows for strengthening of the muscles that support the knee.

Originally Posted by Judi W

If you have any engineers left over, you can send them out my way.

LOL...Doc and I had a time of it just doing all those measurements! The copy of the chart he had was a little less than clear, and I didn't think to print one at home...
Maybe there will be a new joke...how many Veterinarians and Technitians does it take to fit an A-trac on a cranky Rotty bitch?...
Just kidding about the cranky part...

[flyballmom]

OK...well first of all, I obviously have not yet come across your post about this. (Trying futilely to catch up.)
Second of all...things like this are NOT supposed to happen to Bree-Ann!!
Most importantly...THANK GOD it was not OS! And....I've heard good things about the A-trac brace. Sheesh can you guys not BEHAVE while I'm gone?!?

[alexav]

Originally Posted by flyballmom

OK...well first of all, I obviously have not yet come across your post about this. (Trying futilely to catch up.)
Second of all...things like this are NOT supposed to happen to Bree-Ann!!
Most importantly...THANK GOD it was not OS! And....I've heard good things about the A-trac brace. Sheesh can you guys not BEHAVE while I'm gone?!?

1) Here's the thread. http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=46914
2) No they are not! There must have been some cryptonite on the lawn!
3) Thank you, I'm hoping Bree can be their poster-child, LOL...
4) No we cannot behave...

[flyballmom]

Originally Posted by alexav

1) Here's the thread. http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=46914
2) No they are not! There must have been some cryptonite on the lawn!
3) Thank you, I'm hoping Bree can be their poster-child, LOL...
4) No we cannot behave...

Oh...Ok. UGH...but "just" a partial cruciate tear. SUCKS...but better than other things. You had to go and scare the bejesus outta me as soon as I walked in the door from vacation! ACL dogs don't have to lay in the corner and wait to die.
HA! Measurements....that oughta be fun!!!!

[alexav]

Sorry we scared you, sweetie...

We've been down the ACL path twice with Alexa. One traditional repair and 7 years later a TPLO on the other leg...

I would have a surgical repair of some kind done on Bree if she needed it...no layin' in the corner for this girly!

Hope you had a great vacation!

[debbiej]

although a different injury with a different goal, we once took a shar pei to a boot/saddle maker to have a brace created. it was sort of a boot, strapped on to strengthen and support a very weak stifle. It was very soft leather and velcro and had rods in channels down the leg. this old guy is now 11. he is stiff legged, but it helped him heal and he is mobile this long!

[alexav]

It's here! It's assembled! (No engineers were needed) It's ON!

Bree doesn't mind it a bit and looked quite thrilled to have something new added to her "wardrobe".

I will post some pics in Chit Chat if anyone is interested.
I'm very anxious to see if it really works!

[Judi W]

You bet we are interested. Post away

[Seven Hills]

Hi Alexav,
I wish Bree well on her way to recovery.
Could anyone tell me the price of the brace? We are headed down the surgery path on Friday and I want to help her in any way I can. My anxiety has been up there worring about the re-hab, I have heard so much about how hard it is. I just found the brace and printed all pages out to take to my vet, any advise or information anyone can share would be greatly appreciated.
Lisa

[alexav]

Hi Seven....
A Rottie sized brace will set you back around $250 (depending on how much your vet likes you...)
When they take the radiographs prior to surgery, your vet can call in the measurements to woundware. Vets get wholesale price so make sure the Dr does the ordering.
Make sure you get accurate measurements beforehand for chest, girth, thigh etc. It will be hard to measure a sleeping dog on surgery day...

[Seven Hills]

Alexav,
Thank you for the info. We already had the radiographs done, we have just been waiting for the specialist to get here. Do you feel it is working? I will talk to my vet tonight and find out if he wants her to go in tomorrow to measure.
Lisa

[alexav]

Well, it has been a week now and I definitely see some improvement. The support and resistance the brace provides enables us to walk and strengthen the thigh muscles. At night, when I remove the brace, she seems much more able to support a little weight on the leg. Of course, she's not allowed to do anything with the brace off except go to bed...