Acl tear
11-25-2008, 06:30 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location:
Posts: 179
Acl tear
Anybody have any advise on the different surgical procedures used to repair an acl injury? I messed my lab up good by throwing a bumper down hill onto some ice. She made the retreive with no noticable problem then went to walking on three legs. It just about killed me, I felt so bad for her.
We went to the vet yesterday for a look. Our vet did some preliminary tests, mostly poking and prodding. Unfortunately we got some unwanted movement out of her knee when compaired to the other. I have been told to kep her quite for two weeks, when w go back for x-rays and more examination. My understanding is that the ligaments don't actually show up on x-ray but, if thre is a problem, other symptoms will.
Now, here is my question. I want her to be as happy and health as possible. If everything works out I hope she can hunt again. Is there one type of surgery or procedure that is better than other procedures? Or will the injury dictate the proper procedure?
We went to the vet yesterday for a look. Our vet did some preliminary tests, mostly poking and prodding. Unfortunately we got some unwanted movement out of her knee when compaired to the other. I have been told to kep her quite for two weeks, when w go back for x-rays and more examination. My understanding is that the ligaments don't actually show up on x-ray but, if thre is a problem, other symptoms will.
Now, here is my question. I want her to be as happy and health as possible. If everything works out I hope she can hunt again. Is there one type of surgery or procedure that is better than other procedures? Or will the injury dictate the proper procedure?
11-26-2008, 04:29 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Sturgis, SD
Posts: 1,983
RE: Acl tear
Your best bet is going to be what they call a TPLO. It isn't cheap, depending on where you are located likely $1800-$2500. There are some other procedures but you if you want a dog that goes back to work this is currently the most successful.
If your vet isn't sure you should get it checked bya specialist sooner, rather than later. The signs that show up on an Xray will be osteoarthritis because the leg is unstable. That is not reversible. Your goal is to get it repaired prior to that happening.
If your vet isn't sure you should get it checked bya specialist sooner, rather than later. The signs that show up on an Xray will be osteoarthritis because the leg is unstable. That is not reversible. Your goal is to get it repaired prior to that happening.
11-27-2008, 05:12 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Warrenton VA USA
Posts: 16
RE: Acl tear
Ihad to do both knees on two of my dogs. TPLO is the way to go.
Here is a link to the place that performed the surgery. It has a good description of the TPLO procedure. Costly, but worth it.
http://vsrp.org/
BTW Recovery time is substantial, but follow Docs orders. It does make a difference. Both of mine were back to normal in about 6 months as I recall.
Here is a link to the place that performed the surgery. It has a good description of the TPLO procedure. Costly, but worth it.
http://vsrp.org/
BTW Recovery time is substantial, but follow Docs orders. It does make a difference. Both of mine were back to normal in about 6 months as I recall.
11-27-2008, 01:24 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vermont
Posts: 39
RE: Acl tear
i've had both of my 5 year old female lab acl done the recovery is about 5 months w/ alot of therapy follow the doctors orders and he/she will be ok "Tara" is 100% lab again she runs and chases like she used to a real good investment ,the therapy is a challenge as a typical lab the minute she could walk on it all she wanted to do was play keeping a lab calm is a real chore
