Luxating Patella Surgery - Do Both Knees At The Same Time? Or One?

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by kalina82

Hey Brooke, i've already told you my opinion about her LP surgery i believe. Both at the same time. Makes it easier. Believe me. lol the little guys take to it much better and the recovery is quicker.

I just wanted to comment about what Marcerella said. They should not be "off their feet" for recovery. Walking is a huge part of rehab and she should be walking the very first day she comes home. Yes you do have to keep her calm tho. no running, jumping, playing, beds, furniture, stairs, etc. as for the casts, i hate when vets use them. it is very old school and research as shown that it is better NOT to restrict the joints from moving. Patients after knee surgery should start their rehab the very next day by using their legs and walking 3 times a day for 10 minutes each time. also there are range of motion exercises that should be starts a few days after surgery to flex and extend all the joints in the leg to keep them moving and build up muscle. her back legs are pretty atrophied i'm sure from her not using them properly. Ask YorkieMalt about her guys recoverys.

Thanks Kellie! I guess all i know about LP surgery is the threads that Gracie2006 had and she had to keep her Gracie off her feet- thanks for clarifying!

I'll be sure to PM you should Layla ever have to have this done- fingers crossed it doesn't happen!

[yorkiemalt]

ask away Brooke! I would be happy to help in any way I can.

I also noticed the casts on that babie's legs and knew right away that was "old school". Phoebi's leg was bandaged for 3 days but that was only because she banged herself on the crate before she came home and started to bleed.

I can't imagine immobilizing a joint like that. I would think the pain would be ten fold!

Chan's legs were done at seperate times because when we did the first one we didn't know we'd be doing the second one. Three months later the second knee went from a Grade 2 to a Grade 4.

Phoebi only had one knee done and hers was a direct result of a pitbull attack.

So in 9 months time I had rehabbed 3 knees!

Our orthopaedic surgeon is the same one Kelly works for. I didn't know her until Phoebi's final check up and did have the pleasure of meeting her for a few minutes.

I can't say enough about this orthopaedic surgeon. You would never know Chan had both his knees done nor Phoebi.

I can only stress the importance of following the rehab instructions to a "t'. Phoebi & Chan spent 12 weeks (and not a day less) in an x-pen except for their 5 minute walks 3X a day which progressed as time went on. We did range of motion exercises at least once a day followed by ice packs. I cringe everytime I hear someone say that their baby is not crated after lp surgery. It only takes a second to undue all the work that has been done.

[Gracie2006]

I did both of Gracie's knees at once for several reasons. 1 anesthetic. 1 hospitalization. 1 recovery period (8 weeks instead of 16 weeks). 1 rehab period instead of two. The thought of her being out of commission for 3 months of a year vs. 6 and the risk of multiple anesthesias/surgeries made me decide to get both done at once. I don't regret it for a minute. She is doing great now. You can use the search feature in the sick and injured forum (probably best to search for "gracie") to see our story and what we went through. I wish the best for your little one. PM me if you have questions.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by yorkiemalt

ask away Brooke! I would be happy to help in any way I can.

I also noticed the casts on that babie's legs and knew right away that was "old school". Phoebi's leg was bandaged for 3 days but that was only because she banged herself on the crate before she came home and started to bleed.

I can't imagine immobilizing a joint like that. I would think the pain would be ten fold!

Chan's legs were done at seperate times because when we did the first one we didn't know we'd be doing the second one. Three months later the second knee went from a Grade 2 to a Grade 4.

Phoebi only had one knee done and hers was a direct result of a pitbull attack.

So in 9 months time I had rehabbed 3 knees!

Our orthopaedic surgeon is the same one Kelly works for. I didn't know her until Phoebi's final check up and did have the pleasure of meeting her for a few minutes.

I can't say enough about this orthopaedic surgeon. You would never know Chan had both his knees done nor Phoebi.

I can only stress the importance of following the rehab instructions to a "t'. Phoebi & Chan spent 12 weeks (and not a day less) in an x-pen except for their 5 minute walks 3X a day which progressed as time went on. We did range of motion exercises at least once a day followed by ice packs. I cringe everytime I hear someone say that their baby is not crated after lp surgery. It only takes a second to undue all the work that has been done.

(tried to find smiles giving the high five but we dont have one LOL)

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I actually think this is something that the surgeon should decide unless they have no preference. Reason being, they have to make sure that the anesthetic episode goes safety and increased time under anesethesia can be a concern.

I like the idea of doing both knees at once for the reasons you gave (mostly one recovery) but I would ask the surgeon to decide... They have seen this so many times and should know what works for them by now.

I totally agree with this. As much as I love YT, this is a decision for a surgeon. If he says, it's up to you, I'd say, both legs. Good luck, I know this is hard on you, and that little darling will have a million prayers headed her way.

[stedmansmommy]

Thank you so much everyone! I appreciate every single response in this thread. I apologize that I am just now getting a chance to post a reply, but there has been a whole lot going on in my family once again - and over the last 2 weeks I have been more stressed than I have been in a long time. I haven't even been able to get on YT hardly at all, and I hate that! I think about you guys every single day, wishing that I could get on here and chat...but I have just been so busy

As soon as I am able to find the time, I will come back and respond to each reply in this thread - cause I do greatly appreciate them all.

I will most definitely of course ask the surgeon for his opinion, but I talked to one of the nurses on the phone yesterday that works up at his office and she said that *usually* both knees can be done at the same time - especially because of her size. She said that having both legs done at the same time is always much harder for a larger dog - and on the owner as well since it is harder to help them get out to the bathroom, etc. because they are bigger. As of right now, they don't think that having both legs done at the same time will be a problem, and if it isn't, then we are most definitely going to go ahead and have both done at the same time. I think at this point that is honestly what she needs.

And just to let you all know - I did schedule the surgery. She will be going in on Wednesday, April 1st. Good Lord I cannot even put into words what a nervous wreck I am. Her surgery will be out of town so we will be staying in a hotel for probably 2-3 days. She has to be there on the 1st at 10:45 a.m. and they will take x-rays, etc. - but the surgery WILL be done on that day.

I will start a thread when it gets closer to the actual day of surgery - and you all know that I am going to be asking for prayers We are going to be bringing one of the laptop's with us to the hotel and I of course have my Blackberry, so I will be able to post updates from the hotel or my phone whenever I am able - and hopefully some pictures too.

Thank you all again for all of your help...you guys are ALWAYS there for me and I appreciate it a great deal...I really do

Will pop in just as often as I can, and thank you all again

[TLC]

That's my B-Day

I will have special thoughts that day for your special girl

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by TLC

That's my B-Day

I will have special thoughts that day for your special girl

Awwww, it is?? Well let me take this time to say HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY to you - because on the 1st I know I will be a total basket case and probably won't be reading any threads on the board so I don't want to miss wishing you a Happy Birthday!

Just remember on the 1st that I DID wish you a Happy Birthday - even if I don't get to post it in your Happy B-Day thread, lol!

[TLC]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

Awwww, it is?? Well let me take this time to say HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY to you - because on the 1st I know I will be a total basket case and probably won't be reading any threads on the board so I don't want to miss wishing you a Happy Birthday!

Just remember on the 1st that I DID wish you a Happy Birthday - even if I don't get to post it in your Happy B-Day thread, lol!

You are a sweetie

She is gonna do fine

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by TLC

You are a sweetie

She is gonna do fine

Awww well thank you...and you are as well girl I hope she is going to be ok...I am praying so hard I just wish she never even had to go through this I wish it was me instead of her.

[ReesiesDad]

Reesie was held overnight after surgery on Tuesday, Feb 24. The vet took her casts off the following Sunday. During that time she was encouraged to hobble out to potty per vet's instructions. The sight of it would break your heart but it was pretty comical. She is on 45 day 'restricted activity', meaning no stairs, running, jumping on furniture, etc. We watch her pretty close, and if we see that she is too active then we crate her to slow her down. So far so good. Right knee was grade 4 and left was grade 2.

The only thing that worries me about her is that now that she's shaved from the surgery, we can see just how skinny she is. Like other peanuts, she just doesn't eat much and never has. She looks so frail.

[Izzy Princess]

Oh Brooke I knew about Tator-Tot but wasn't sure when you were going to do the surgery. We'll all be praying and thinking of you both. What does your vet say about doing both legs? If he says yes then I would go with that he truly knows best. Just think Brooke once this is all done Tatum will be back to her fiesty self and be giving Steddy a run for his money. Tell him to enjoy it now because when she gets to be 100% there will be no stopping her.

[Izzy Princess]

Originally Posted by ReesiesDad

Reesie was held overnight after surgery on Tuesday, Feb 24. The vet took her casts off the following Sunday. During that time she was encouraged to hobble out to potty per vet's instructions. The sight of it would break your heart but it was pretty comical. She is on 45 day 'restricted activity', meaning no stairs, running, jumping on furniture, etc. We watch her pretty close, and if we see that she is too active then we crate her to slow her down. So far so good. Right knee was grade 4 and left was grade 2.

The only thing that worries me about her is that now that she's shaved from the surgery, we can see just how skinny she is. Like other peanuts, she just doesn't eat much and never has. She looks so frail.

OMG I know how it is..Izzy has pancreatitis and was pretty bad this past November and the vet had to shave her leg to get the IV in her. OMG when I went to see her all I could see were her skinny legs. Her hair is just now growing in where you can't tell now. These little ones (she is not even 3#) are so fragile and it seems that these little ones get the sickest.

[Yorkiedaze]

My Zada had both knees done at the same time. She was strictly in her expen for two months. The first two weeks I put a thick foam on the floor so she wasn't on hard floor. Then the third week I started taking her outside on the leash to walk around a little bit once a day. The fourh week I took her out twice a day on the leash. The fifth week I took her out on the leash three times a day. On the sixth, seventh and eight week, I would take her out on the leash for extended periods gradually a bit longer each day. She was such a good little girl to have gone thru so much. She never complained.
I know your baby will do just fine. Keep us posted.

[kezza]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

Thank you so much everyone! I appreciate every single response in this thread. I apologize that I am just now getting a chance to post a reply, but there has been a whole lot going on in my family once again - and over the last 2 weeks I have been more stressed than I have been in a long time. I haven't even been able to get on YT hardly at all, and I hate that! I think about you guys every single day, wishing that I could get on here and chat...but I have just been so busy

As soon as I am able to find the time, I will come back and respond to each reply in this thread - cause I do greatly appreciate them all.

I will most definitely of course ask the surgeon for his opinion, but I talked to one of the nurses on the phone yesterday that works up at his office and she said that *usually* both knees can be done at the same time - especially because of her size. She said that having both legs done at the same time is always much harder for a larger dog - and on the owner as well since it is harder to help them get out to the bathroom, etc. because they are bigger. As of right now, they don't think that having both legs done at the same time will be a problem, and if it isn't, then we are most definitely going to go ahead and have both done at the same time. I think at this point that is honestly what she needs.

And just to let you all know - I did schedule the surgery. She will be going in on Wednesday, April 1st. Good Lord I cannot even put into words what a nervous wreck I am. Her surgery will be out of town so we will be staying in a hotel for probably 2-3 days. She has to be there on the 1st at 10:45 a.m. and they will take x-rays, etc. - but the surgery WILL be done on that day.

I will start a thread when it gets closer to the actual day of surgery - and you all know that I am going to be asking for prayers We are going to be bringing one of the laptop's with us to the hotel and I of course have my Blackberry, so I will be able to post updates from the hotel or my phone whenever I am able - and hopefully some pictures too.

Thank you all again for all of your help...you guys are ALWAYS there for me and I appreciate it a great deal...I really do

Will pop in just as often as I can, and thank you all again

We love little Tatum so much..we will be thinking of you..we'll help you get through this. much love as always Kerry & Pixie xxx