Ligament Surgery Update

[rbehrens]

Just wanted to update all of you who offered help by supplying information about ligament surgery. Kelly (my girl) had the cranial cruciate ligament surgery on Thursday. The ligament had a tear along with meniscus damage. There was also a fair amount of arthritic material.The knee joint was stabilized via an artificial ligament. A cast was not used, I was told to keep her confined for 10 weeks, going out only to relieve herself. I brought her home Friday night. She seems to be in quite amount of pain and has a hard time standing on the good rear leg. I tried holding her up with a towel to do her business but she does not seem to like being supported. She's breaking my heart in that while I try to move her she cry's out in pain and licks my face at the same time.

I hope that in the next couple of days the swelling goes down and she gains a bit more stability on the good rear leg.

Thank you all again for caring.

Roger

[Lady B]

Roger -- I just went through this a bit over 2 months ago. It was quite painful for my sweet Lady-B as well. The towel? She would growl at me whenever I would assist her with it. She learned quite well how to bunny hop on her "good" leg, which was repaired 2 1/2 years ago. Be very, very patient with your baby. We have just started short 1-2 block walks to build up Lady's muscle tone. I am also trying to find a place where we can do aqua therapy. I know this will speed up her recovery.

Kelly may go off her food. I actually hand fed Lady for nearly 3 weeks only because I had alot of nutraceuticals in her meals. She is now back to normal, eating at her feeding station with her buddy, Baron.

Please keep us posted.

[WorkinDogz]

I certainly know the feeling...my amstaff had a complete tear of her ACL and a dislocated patella to boot. She never made a peep though (amstaff's and APBT's tend to have a high pain thresh hold which works against them sometimes). We had her on strict crate rest for 4 weeks post surgery(of course taking her out on lead to relieve herself) and is now on another 4 weeks of on leash only walks. She did go off her food somewhat but I feel it was more related to her being left out of the daily routine with us and the other dogs while she was crated. She has really come around since being allowed out of the crate. You would never know she had a complete tear and patella luxation as she has to be quieted quite often...(she wants to play tug o war with the other dogs and often brings them and us her rope) In any case....good luck with the rehab. Hope your girl recovers 100%

[damp]

I have been there too, and I don’t wish my worst enemy and not at least - his dog - to go through this. Even my boy never ever moaned no one could doubt that he had so much pain.
I hope your dog will do well!
Good luck.

[Lynne W]

My Rottie - Sam had cruciate ligament surgery about 6 weeks ago where an artifical ligament was used (he had also shattered his cartlidge) and he is doing great, he can already go for one hour walks and is able to go upstairs and jump on the furniture etc. For the first couple of days he was a bit unsure but soon overcame everything. Rotties are usually tough dogs so I'm sure you dog will be OK. I would certainly recommend this type of surgery rather than grafting the ligament. Good luck and just be patient.

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Lynne