Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

[RomyBoxer]

Figuring out which method of treatment for a CCL rupture has become a full time investigative process! My 5 year old boxer has a ruptured CCL We've been to the University of Missouri to speak to the ortho-vets there and they recommend a new procedure they devolped there called the tightrope procedure. It's supposed to be less invasive and have a slightly shorter recovery period. Of course, closely managed activity restriction is still required for 6 to 8 weeks. I took my dog to St. Louis for a second opinion and the ortho-surgeon there was a bit less enthusiastic about the tightrope procedure since it is so new. He preferred either TPLO or TTA.
One added advantage I have, is utilizing an underwater treadmill for post-op rehab for my dog. I'm hoping that might strenghthen both the repaired leg and her off leg to try to prevent injury to it from overcompensation. Any thoughts on this?

[Daveyo]

Hi

Can you do me a favor. If possible please send me the tightrope procedure data and protocol and paste it here in this forum. I want to review it and study it out.

Would appreciate it very much.

Daveyo

[Labadorer]

We are in the beginning stages of treatment for a partial CCL tear - the plan right now is for the surgeon to go in with an arthroscope and if it is possible (25% or less damage) to go with the less invasive (relatively new but worth a try) stem cell procedure.... if the injury is not within the parameters of the 25%or less then we will make a decision to go on with a TPLO.
Our surgeon too was less enthusiastic about the Tightrope procedure because the bone is now taking the force at the anchor spots - if you have an active dog the continued force on the pins will logically "wear", then what? Bone disease, infection, degradation?
Our girl is a 6 year old Lab who competes in Obedience Trials. I will give that up in order for her to have comfort, quality and longevity but our surgeon is enthusiastic about her return to what she loves
and does so well.
I feel that we have been lucky enough to be close enough to this practice in MD to take advantage of the wonderful options - all of the different options were presented to my husband and I
http://www.vetsportsmedicine.com/
http://www.vet-stem.com/
Good luck on your journey and I would like to hear what you decided on - ours is set to begin on May 4th.

[RomyBoxer]

We did go ahead with the Tightrope procedure on Feb. 20th, 2009. It's been almost 9 weeks now and Romy is doing well. Much better with crate rest than I thought she would do! She has enjoyed a couple weeks of underwater treadmill re-hab and is now allowed to do sustained walking for very short periods of time several times a day. We also set up a 'weave pole' set like used in agility and some very low hurdles for her to navigate to build up her muscle tone again. Our surgeon said there was still a bit of movement in her joint but that was to be expected at 8 weeks post-op. He is very pleased with her progress and the fact that I've managed to trim her weight down measurably. It's a LONG road and it will be quite some time before she is allowed to run off leash again. Romy's CCL was barely hanging on by a thread so the stem cell treatment would probably not been an option for us, even if we had had access to it. I became aware of it about the time I learned of the tightrope procedure.
Over all, we are as happy as can be with this type of treatment course. We are being extra cautious though, as the thought of undoing $2500 worth of surgery is unbearable!

[Labadorer]

Thank you for answering so quickly - and I am thrilled to hear how well Romy is doing....as with any procedure - man or animal - each incident is different and the recovery is going to be different - it sounds as though you did a lot of ground work and should be proud of your efforts and team work.
I have also started plotting easy access and all - went out and bought some inexpensive carpet runners and no skid under mats to cover the hardwood in our home - no slipping here please!
Have cordoned off one room with easy access to the outside - trying to think ahead.
We have a local animal exercise and rehab facility nearby - they run field dogs, radiant heated floors
whirlpool etc....... so all in all this has become my full time project of late - just the prep!
Continued good thoughts to all of us who are facing this type of recovery.
DE Labs

[RomyBoxer]

We have lots of carpet runners all over as well! Also, my OH made a 'sling' from an old bath mat towel so we could support Romy for the first week or so after surgery. He triple folded the towel and attached loops of nylon webbing with pop rivets to each end. That way we could help her up and down the 2 little steps at our front door and make sure she didn't try to bolt after a rabbit or whatever tickled her fancy. It was a GREAT help! And didn't cost a thing.

[Daveyo]

Hmm, just wanted to mention something as I like reading this thread here of both of your progress. The one who has some movement of the bone after the procedure, please be wary of it and be very careful.

It doesn't take much to bust it and can cause another tear. Usually under normal circumstances all animals and even humans have some play in the joint area for the movement to be somewhat flexible. This is OK, so I am not sure just what you meant when you wrote > there was some play after the surgery. If you can be a bit more specific I would appreciate it.

The big problem with the ligament tears > it is trying to re-attach a rubber band around the knee joint thru the holes and then sew it up. It is very difficult to do. A ligament is similar to that rubber band.

So I don't know but if anyone reads this, make sure you get catastrophic insurance for your dog to cover something like cruciate ligament tears, heart surgery or spinal injurys etc. Now this kind of insurance is important as this will save your financial pocketbook in the long run when something like this happens. Your bills can run in the thousands very easily, so this kind of insurance basically will save you.

Sooner or later eventually the dog owner has to start treating your animal for most minor stuff like cuts, bites, or even some illnesses and give your dog the vaccination shots to save money. Running to the VET for minor stuff can run up the bill on you.

Before you folks let out your animals, go outside to your yard and inspect the ground area and do a visual exam to make sure there are no hidden holes around. Many dogs like to dig holes in the ground as it being their nature. If the dog does not see it, and steps in that hole there goes the cruciate or a possible bone break. So if you got some standby dirt bags around use it and fill up that hole and pack it down. This will save you a major medical headache later on. Also at this time look around to make sure there is nothing in that yard that the dog can eat or munch on. Dogs are very good disposal units so to speak. This only take simply 5 mins of your time to do a brief inspection. If all OK , then let them loose in the yard.

So keep posting as this is an interesting thread

Daveyo

[1Bigjobby]

Hello. My name is michelle and I am new to forums in general. I have been motivated by my 6 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Prince Jobsite (Jobby). You seem pretty knowledgeable and I am scared to death. My boy was diagnosed with a partial tear approximately 5 weeks ago. He absolutely lives to play so we didn't have the heart to keep him from the lake. Swimming is his passion. We did try to restrict any running though. Tonight after a swim, he headed for the car before I could get his leash on and it happened. I'm almost positive it ruptured. He cried out and can bear no weight. I haven't even been to the vet yet. My husband is taking him first thing. When this particular vet diagnosed the partial tear, they said they wouldn't do surgery. I don't know where to turn or what to do but I am going to find out. I am devastated for him. He loves life and is my constant reminder of what is really important in this crazy world.
Any help/suggestions/knowledge you have would be greatly appreciated.
Best of luck to you and yours.

[Daveyo]

Hi

Granted you already knew that the dog had a partial tear, and I wonder why in the world you continue to let him on the loose knowing that it can rupture at any time. Also why did you not bandage the leg with elastic to support it just for walking. Then you let it run around to top it all.

Well, now you got the worse before you.

OK - First get a full MRI scan done on that leg and especially the rupture. You need to know the extent of the damage. Secondly you have no choice here and surgery is required. So you have to choose which is best. The tightrope is for those with partial tears as there is a chance to re-attach the partial tear back before it all rips open and the technique is less invasive. So the only choice is TPLO and the other one.

Third, prepare for a bill around 2,000 dollars on average. Some cost more - some cost less.

I am not certain where your located but I do know there are some good surgeons who can do this and be successful.

Keep in mind what they are doing now is taking the ligament (which is like a rubber band) and having to wrap it around the leg and then attach the other end (and its not easy to do). Recovery from this takes minimum of 10 weeks to be safe. After that the leg should be wrapped everytime it goes out for a walk. No more running or jumping around freely or you will rip that open again.

The sooner you get the surgery the less chances for arthritis to set in. Comes with the territory. You got about 2 weeks before the arthritis begins to do the real damage.

Other than that, sorry for your dilemma, but really it was very senseless of you to not look out for the dog and protect it from further injury in spite of you knowing the consequences and the danger from your previous warning. You can only blame yourself and no one else. This is the truth.

I suggest you let me know where your located and if in the USA, I can at least point you in the right direction.

Daveyo

[RomyBoxer]

Rather than castigate you for letting Jobbie run I offer you my heartfelt empathy for what you are going through. It is heartbreaking to see your 'rather play than eat' dog become crippled with this sort of injury.
Looks like you've started your research, which is the only way you'll be able to make an informed decision about what avenue to take. Each dog is different and after a thorough examination, your vets can help you form a plan of action to suit your paticular lifestyle and needs.
The most important thing to remember is ask your vet how many of the procedure (whether tightrope, TPLO or TTA) he/she has performed and how comfortable he/she is with the procedure you are choosing. The expertise of the surgeon is as, if not more important than what procedure you ultimately choose as they all have similiar outcomes and inherent dangers.
Please realize though, Jobbie will NOT be able to run freely for many, many months now. He should remain on-leash or crated at all times both leading up to his surgery and for several months afterward.
I wish you all the luck in the world as you help your faithful friend regain use of his leg. It's doable, but requires a LOT of patience. The rewarding part is the bond I have with my boxer girl has become even stronger since her injury and subsequent rehab.