Canine knee injuries
A partially or completely torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the
most common injury to the knee in athletic, medium to large sized dogs.
Small dogs and cats can tear this ligament as well, however it occurs
much less often.
What is the ACL?
It is a ligament in the stifle joint, between the femur and the tibia that
allows the knee to flex and extend while preventing the tibia from sliding
forward. The posterior cruciate ligament does the opposite, but is rarely
injured.
What influences the rupture of an ACL?
Trauma, breed, genetics, ACL biochemistry/structure, gender,
neutering, obesity, immune mechanisms, conformation, and
biomechanics.
How is it diagnosed?
The history typically involves a sudden rear leg lameness. The animal
usually will be completely lame for a few days and then gradually seem
to improve and become weight bearing although still very sore. The knee
is usually swollen.
The two keys to diagnosing a ruptured cruciate ligament are testing for
a motion called the "drawer sign" and the "sit test". The drawer sign is an
abnormal knee motion. The veterinarian holds the femur in position with
one hand and manipulates the tibia forward with the other hand. If the
tibia moves forward similarly to a drawer being opened, the ligament
may be ruptured. See the picture of the knee to the right.
The sit test is simply asking the dog to sit naturally. When a dog sits
straight down with both knees underneath them they are putting stress on
the knees. If they have an injured knee, typically they will sit to the side with
one leg stretched out to take pressure off their injury.
How do we treat them?
Some very small dogs and cats do fine with no intervention. When
surgery is indicated, there are two common techniques used.
removed. If the meniscus is torn, the damaged portion is removed. A
heavy nylon suture is placed around the lateral fabella and through the
tibial crest. This mimics the action of the natural ligament.
is removed. The tibia is cut and a bone plate is placed on the leg. This
changes the angle of the knee so that the ACL is no longer
needed.
After either surgery, exercise must be restricted. Follow up
appointments for re-checks and x-rays are important so the doctor can
insure the knee is healing correctly.
What if my veterinarian recommends surgery but I decline?
The body tries to stabilize the joint by building up fibrous tissue and the
ensuing arthritis is more severe. At least 50% of the dogs with one torn ACL
eventually injure the other side.
More information:
http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/
http://www.vss.org/html/pages/mainframe.html
Disclaimer: Vista Animal Hospital makes sincere efforts to ensure the
accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will not
be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper use of
information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information contained
on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one do so at their
own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian before acting
on it.
*For More Information Please Contact Your Vet!*
A partially or completely torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the
most common injury to the knee in athletic, medium to large sized dogs.
Small dogs and cats can tear this ligament as well, however it occurs
much less often.
What is the ACL?
It is a ligament in the stifle joint, between the femur and the tibia that
allows the knee to flex and extend while preventing the tibia from sliding
forward. The posterior cruciate ligament does the opposite, but is rarely
injured.
What influences the rupture of an ACL?
Trauma, breed, genetics, ACL biochemistry/structure, gender,
neutering, obesity, immune mechanisms, conformation, and
biomechanics.
How is it diagnosed?
The history typically involves a sudden rear leg lameness. The animal
usually will be completely lame for a few days and then gradually seem
to improve and become weight bearing although still very sore. The knee
is usually swollen.
The two keys to diagnosing a ruptured cruciate ligament are testing for
a motion called the "drawer sign" and the "sit test". The drawer sign is an
abnormal knee motion. The veterinarian holds the femur in position with
one hand and manipulates the tibia forward with the other hand. If the
tibia moves forward similarly to a drawer being opened, the ligament
may be ruptured. See the picture of the knee to the right.
The sit test is simply asking the dog to sit naturally. When a dog sits
straight down with both knees underneath them they are putting stress on
the knees. If they have an injured knee, typically they will sit to the side with
one leg stretched out to take pressure off their injury.
How do we treat them?
Some very small dogs and cats do fine with no intervention. When
surgery is indicated, there are two common techniques used.
- Lateral Suture Repair or fabellar imbrication:
removed. If the meniscus is torn, the damaged portion is removed. A
heavy nylon suture is placed around the lateral fabella and through the
tibial crest. This mimics the action of the natural ligament.
- Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO):
is removed. The tibia is cut and a bone plate is placed on the leg. This
changes the angle of the knee so that the ACL is no longer
needed.
After either surgery, exercise must be restricted. Follow up
appointments for re-checks and x-rays are important so the doctor can
insure the knee is healing correctly.
What if my veterinarian recommends surgery but I decline?
The body tries to stabilize the joint by building up fibrous tissue and the
ensuing arthritis is more severe. At least 50% of the dogs with one torn ACL
eventually injure the other side.
More information:
http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/
http://www.vss.org/html/pages/mainframe.html
Disclaimer: Vista Animal Hospital makes sincere efforts to ensure the
accuracy of information posted on this website. VAH cannot and will not
be held responsible or liable for errors, inaccuracies or improper use of
information by the reader. Readers who rely on the information contained
on this web site or on other web sites accessed from this one do so at their
own risk and are advised to consult with their veterinarian before acting
on it.
*For More Information Please Contact Your Vet!*
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