Dogs love jumping around, running, and playing. As fun and cute as that is, it means they’re at risk of injuring their joints and developing issues like cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears. Some injuries may heal over time, but others may require canine knee surgery.
If you notice your dog is limping, a visit to your local veterinarian will determine the best treatment for your pet depending on certain factors like the severity of the injury, the dog’s weight, age, and more.
It can be daunting if your vet decides that your pup needs surgery. But don’t worry; this blog will help you learn more about the three most common knee surgeries, how vets determine the best treatment, and how to care for your pet after the operation.
What’s The Right Type of Dog Knee Surgery For My Pet?
When determining the correct type of dog knee surgery, your local veterinarian will assess your pet’s condition through a series of exams, physical evaluations, blood tests and may even conduct imaging tests, like X-rays. They will analyze the results of the tests before recommending any treatment or surgical procedure.
Vets will consider the results of the pre-surgical assessment and other critical information like your dog’s weight and any other underlying medical conditions.
Three Dog Knee Surgery Recovery Tips to Follow
The three types of dog knee surgery we will cover have a high success rate, but to plan for a smoother recovery without further complications, there are a few tips we recommend you follow:
Strictly follow post-op instructions.
After your dog’s procedure, your vet will provide clear and detailed instructions on how you must care for your injured pup. The guidelines will include any prescription medications they must take. It’s essential to follow these steps carefully.
The first couple of days after the procedure determine whether or not your dog will have a successful recovery. If you have questions regarding your vet’s post-op instructions, we recommend contacting them for clarification.
Restrict your pet’s movement.
Aside from wound care instructions, your vet will also require you to restrict your pet’s movements during the initial weeks following surgery. Simple activities like jumping on the couch can cause your pup’s wounds to worsen and delay the recovery process. We recommend preparing a dedicated space for your dog where they have everything they need, like food and water.
It is also important to never leave your injured canine unsupervised to prevent incidents that could cause their incisions to reopen. After some time, vets recommend low-impact exercises so your dog can gradually return to normal activities.
Prepare a quiet and comfortable space in your home.
Proper crate rest is one of the most important things you must prioritize for your injured dog. For you to ensure that your pup gets all the rest they need, we recommend preparing a quiet and comfortable space for them that includes a soft bed and a few brain toys to keep your pup entertained.
Remember that you must prevent your pet from licking and infecting its wounds. To do this, you need to provide them with toys that keep their minds engaged and help them channel their restless energy.
Three Common Canine Knee Surgeries
Surgical intervention may be necessary for knee-related issues that don’t resolve independently. Depending on your veterinarian’s evaluation, your dog may undergo one of these three types of dog knee surgeries:
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
TPLO surgery is one of today’s most common canine knee surgeries. With a maximum success rate of 90%, it’s one of the most recommended procedures by veterinarians. The primary goal of this type of dog knee surgery is to reduce tibial thrust without the help of the patient’s CCL.
The procedure requires surgeons to cut through the top of your dog’s tibia and change its tibial plateau angle by rotating it. They would then add metal plates and screws to stabilize the affected bone. By successfully adjusting the angle of the bone, they can replicate a normal configuration of the knee joint, resulting in reduced mechanical stress.
Veterinarians often recommend TPLO knee surgery for dogs that have CCL tears.
Extracapsular Lateral Suture Stabilization (ELSS)
Extracapsular Lateral Suture Stabilization (ELSS) involves placing sutures outside the patient’s joint. Surgeons pass the suture around the small bone to the femur’s backside before threading the suture through a drilled hole in the front of the tibia.
This procedure aims to recreate the normal anatomic orientation of your pup’s ligaments. Some veterinary surgeons recommend the ELSS procedure for patients that weigh less than 20 pounds.
Compared to TPLO surgery, this treatment is less invasive, as it doesn’t involve a bone cut. However, it does have a lower success rate. If your small dog suffers from unstable knees, your veterinarian may recommend ELSS.
Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)
The Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) treatment is similar to a TPLO surgery but slightly less invasive. The procedure requires surgeons to separate the front segment of the tibia from the rest of the bone.
They will add a spacer between the two sections, moving the front segment up and forward to prevent tibia thrust. Lastly, the surgeons will add a bone plate to hold the section in its correct position and only remove it once the bones heal.
Veterinarians often recommend this procedure to patients with a steep tibial plateau.
Provide Better Care for Your Injured Dog
By taking the time to collaborate and work with your local veterinarian, you’ll be able to provide exceptional care to your canine companion and guarantee them a full recovery. The three canine surgeries we’ve discussed can help your dog adapt to a CCL ligament injury, but successful rehabilitation is key to a better quality of life. You can visit our website for more information on canine knee surgeries and how to ensure successful post-op recovery for your dog.
