THE DOG'S KNEE-Treatment Options: Part 4 of 6 in a Series
PART 4 - TREATMENT OPTIONS There are both medical and surgical treatment options for patients suffering from cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). Medical management is sometimes considered to be more conservative than surgical treatment. It is important to understand, however, that medical management for CCLR in dogs can be very extensive and expensive. The choice to pursue surgical management may be influenced by factors such as patient size, the stage of...
THE DOG'S KNEE: Part 2 of 6 in a Series
ABOUT ACL AND CCL INJURIES - PART 2 The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), equivalent to the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL in people, is responsible for limiting hyperextension of the stifle (knee), limiting internal rotation of the tibia in relation to the femur, and to prevent forward sliding/drawer motion of the tibia in relation to the femur. Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is the most common cause of hind limb...
Condition Breakdown: Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Do you know that cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are one of the most commonly seen sporting dog injuries seen by veterinarians? If you’re in dog sports, chances are you know someone whose dog has suffered CCL injury. Have you ever found yourself asking how a CCL injury occurs and how you can make every best attempt to prevent your dog from suffering this injury? In this blog, we take a deep...
Luxating Patella in Dogs
Patella luxation is a common problem, especially in small dogs, but it can cause issues in dogs of any size. Also referred to as slip knee, patella luxation can cause issues like cartilage damage, inflammation, pain, and even ligament tears. But by knowing how to recognize the signs of patella luxation in a dog and understanding what can be done about it, pet owners may be able to help protect...
AN OVERVIEW OF CCL INJURY IN DOGS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS
A CCL injury in dogs is the most common reason for canine orthopedic surgeries. Dogs tear or rupture their CCL (cranial cruciate ligament), also called ACL, through running, jumping, and heavy impact. A CCL injury can also be due to a congenital knee condition called patellar luxation, which is more common in small dogs. No matter the cause, a torn CCL is painful and can lead to permanent lameness when...
Canine Knee Injury? Brace Yourself
Ten years have passed since WDJ explored “conservative management” – the nonsurgical treatment – of knee ligament injuries (see “Saying ‘No’ to Surgery,” February 2010). Since then, although surgery remains by far the most widely used knee injury treatment, consumer demand for complementary therapies, including the use of custom-designed knee braces, has grown. Nearly all veterinarians have experience with canine ligament injuries because they are so common. Depending on the...
Shockwave Therapy
This non-invasive modality can successfully treat a range of orthopedic and soft tissue problems in animals. Though most commonly used for horses, shockwave therapy also has many applications in small animal practice. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that can speed the healing of many types of orthopedic and soft tissue injuries and conditions. It has been used in Europe in human medicine to treat tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, rotator...
Know Your Knees: Understanding Concurrent Patellar Luxation and Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease
Your next case coming to the practice is a small breed dog with a history of progressive pelvic limb lameness. The top differentials for this presentation are patellar luxation and cranial cruciate ligament disease. But what about the patient with concurrent patellar luxation and cranial cruciate ligament disease? How do we reach a diagnosis of this challenging combination of diseases and how do we return the patient back to function?...