What is the Cranial Cruciate Ligament?
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To really understand what a CCL tear is we need to understand the function of the CCL. CCL is the abbreviation for “cranial cruciate ligament” and connects the bone above the knee to the bone below the knee which stabilizes it. When the CCL is torn or injured, the shin bone slides forward and overlaps the thigh bone.
A CCL tear is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs and can be extremely painful. However, if treated properly it can completely recover. |
Signs your Dogs may have an injury:
The primary signs your dog could be experiencing a CCL injury is limping or refusing to put weight on the leg. There could also be some swelling visible and tender to the touch.
The primary signs your dog could be experiencing a CCL injury is limping or refusing to put weight on the leg. There could also be some swelling visible and tender to the touch.
What happens if my dog has a CCL Tear?
The first thing to do if you suspect your dog has a tear is to call your Veterinarian. The vet will be able to examine and see if it is stretched, partially torn or fully torn.
There are 3 levels of injured CCL tears:
1.The first (grade I) would be if the ligament is stretched but not torn. The dog will feel pain which tells the dog to place less weight on it, protecting the damaged ligament. There is normally inflammation and swelling but the joint would still be stable.
2. The second (grade II) would be the ligament is partially torn, but some fibers remain intact. Symptoms become more consistent and do not fully resolve with rest. There is some instability in the joint that a veterinarian can often feel on examination.
3: Finally a grade III, would be your dogs ligament is completely torn. This leads to greater inflammation and swelling and the joint is unstable. This will cause your dog to become lame (refusing to use the leg/not putting any weight on it).
If the ligament is torn (grade III), most Veterinarians will recommend a surgical procedure called a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy). Because of the success rate it is the most common surgery done for this injury. Surgery is generally recommended as quickly as possible to reduce permanent, irreversible joint damage and relieve pain.
There are 3 levels of injured CCL tears:
1.The first (grade I) would be if the ligament is stretched but not torn. The dog will feel pain which tells the dog to place less weight on it, protecting the damaged ligament. There is normally inflammation and swelling but the joint would still be stable.
2. The second (grade II) would be the ligament is partially torn, but some fibers remain intact. Symptoms become more consistent and do not fully resolve with rest. There is some instability in the joint that a veterinarian can often feel on examination.
3: Finally a grade III, would be your dogs ligament is completely torn. This leads to greater inflammation and swelling and the joint is unstable. This will cause your dog to become lame (refusing to use the leg/not putting any weight on it).
If the ligament is torn (grade III), most Veterinarians will recommend a surgical procedure called a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy). Because of the success rate it is the most common surgery done for this injury. Surgery is generally recommended as quickly as possible to reduce permanent, irreversible joint damage and relieve pain.
Recovery after TPLO Surgery
Recovery after will take 8-12 weeks as the bone heal. However, during recovery, it is critical that excessive force is not placed on the bone. This means absolutely no running, jumping, off-leash activity or play is allowed until the bone has healed. Pain management after surgery is also critical, so be sure to give all medications as prescribed and use them until they are gone. 1-2 weeks after surgery it is important to get your dog up and moving in order to stimulate healing and build muscle. A good place to start is short leash walks.
Studies show that dogs who start early rehabilitation therapy at 2 weeks after surgery are using the leg with near-normal function by 10-12 weeks post-op with proper rehabilitation.
Conservative Management
If surgery is not an option, or your dog is not ready for surgery, conservative management may be right for you. If your dog has experienced a level 1 or 2 described above then conservative management may be the best next step. There are things that can be done to help minimize the chance of your dog hurting themselves further as well as helping them heal in a less invasive way. The main focus after an injury like this is reducing swelling and inflammation. Some of the ways Oklahoma K9 PT can help is through exercises like range of motion and stretching, massage.
Recovery after will take 8-12 weeks as the bone heal. However, during recovery, it is critical that excessive force is not placed on the bone. This means absolutely no running, jumping, off-leash activity or play is allowed until the bone has healed. Pain management after surgery is also critical, so be sure to give all medications as prescribed and use them until they are gone. 1-2 weeks after surgery it is important to get your dog up and moving in order to stimulate healing and build muscle. A good place to start is short leash walks.
Studies show that dogs who start early rehabilitation therapy at 2 weeks after surgery are using the leg with near-normal function by 10-12 weeks post-op with proper rehabilitation.
Conservative Management
If surgery is not an option, or your dog is not ready for surgery, conservative management may be right for you. If your dog has experienced a level 1 or 2 described above then conservative management may be the best next step. There are things that can be done to help minimize the chance of your dog hurting themselves further as well as helping them heal in a less invasive way. The main focus after an injury like this is reducing swelling and inflammation. Some of the ways Oklahoma K9 PT can help is through exercises like range of motion and stretching, massage.
Does your dog have an old TPLO that needs some extra care?
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In general it is not normal for your dog to be limping after 4-6 months post TPLO. If your dog is 16+ weeks out and they are struggling with healing and range of motion, we can still help! No matter how long ago the injury or surgery was we can introduce therapeutic exercises and massage to help decrease residual pain and regain mobility. |
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Movement is Medicine
Here at Oklahoma K9 PT, we are movement specialists. We assess your dogs overall mobility and all factors that may affect this. Not only can weakness and neurologic changes cause difficulty with mobility, but also environmental factors, obesity, and traction issues. We help tailor a plan for your dog's individual needs to help you help your canine companion with management of their injuries conservatively at home long term.
Here at Oklahoma K9 PT, we are movement specialists. We assess your dogs overall mobility and all factors that may affect this. Not only can weakness and neurologic changes cause difficulty with mobility, but also environmental factors, obesity, and traction issues. We help tailor a plan for your dog's individual needs to help you help your canine companion with management of their injuries conservatively at home long term.
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