Torn Ligament - Lateral Suture Cruiciate Repair

[Hugo12]

Hello -

I'm new to the forum and need some advice. My Yorkie, Hugo Boss, started limping Friday. He's holding up his back left leg. He lets me touch the leg and even tries to walk on it at times.

I took him to the vet friday and the surgeon took a look at him and said the following:
He has luxating patella but more than likely has lived with it his whole life. However after doing some physcial tests to his leg they are sure it's a torn ligament and recommend "cruciate ligament suture" surgery. Main concern in the not the LP it's the torn ligament and while they are in surgery to fix the ligament they will address the kneecap also by I guess hollowing out the bone (?) so the kneecap sits in it better.

I scheduled surgery for Saturday (yesterday) but got cold feet and couldn't put Hugo through surgery. The surgeon said it's not life threatening but reccomends I don't wait too long b/c other complications could occur like arthritis.

I'm getting a 2nd opinion tomorrow. By the way, Hugo will be 4 years old this month.

Has anyone had experience with a their baby having a torn ligament and had to have cruciate ligament repair surgery?

HELP!! THANKS!

-- Pegs

[kalina82]

Hi welcome to YT!

My yorkie only has LPs that will be fixed in the future. However, I have seen the CCL surgery performed many many times. It is the quickest of all the knee surgeries. Basically the surgeon will be using a thick type of "fishing line" to act as a artificial ligament. As for the LP surgery, MPL, the surgeon will deepen the groove that the knee cap sits in and he might possibly have to cut the bone and pin it in a different place to align the ligaments.

There is great success with this surgery if done by a board certified orthopedic surgeon. I wouldn't go anywhere else. The sooner this knee is fixed the better. It will only get worse if not fixed and the other knee will probably start to go as well because it will be overcompensating for the painful knee.

hope this helps

Kellie

[Shelby&Seymour]

There are many threads on luxating patellas here on YT. Just do a search on this site. A torn ligament can be very painful... I would defintely talk to the vet.... and also a ortho surgeon.
My female yorkie went thru LP surgery on BOTH back legs about 2 mos ago. She has recovered nicely...... but I recommend that you talk to an orthopedic vet about doing the surgery.
Wishing you the best of luck!

[Hugo12]

Thanks for the replies and great info. I spoke to the orthapedic surgeon on Saturday when I took him on Saturday. He was scheduled for surgery and I didn't go through with it. Apparently the surgery is not specifically for the LP, it's for the torn ligament that they determined from doing physical tests on his leg.

I'm just concerned that no x-ray was taken. I understand that you can't see ligaments from x-rays, but an MRI or CT Scan shows ligaments but the surgeon said they only conduct an mri or ct scan if they are uncertain it's a torn ligament after doing the physical movement tests on the leg.

He's almost 4 yrs old and this is the 1st time he's held his leg up and limped. Nothing that I know of occurred for the injury to happen. He's an indoor dog 100% who goes on pee pads and with me literally 24/7. He's not in pain it doesn't seem. He lets me touch it and squeeze it. Even the vet had no problem conducting the tests. I'm just real confused on what to do.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Hugo12

Thanks for the replies and great info. I spoke to the orthapedic surgeon on Saturday when I took him on Saturday. He was scheduled for surgery and I didn't go through with it. Apparently the surgery is not specifically for the LP, it's for the torn ligament that they determined from doing physical tests on his leg.

I'm just concerned that no x-ray was taken. I understand that you can't see ligaments from x-rays, but an MRI or CT Scan shows ligaments but the surgeon said they only conduct an mri or ct scan if they are uncertain it's a torn ligament after doing the physical movement tests on the leg.

He's almost 4 yrs old and this is the 1st time he's held his leg up and limped. Nothing that I know of occurred for the injury to happen. He's an indoor dog 100% who goes on pee pads and with me literally 24/7. He's not in pain it doesn't seem. He lets me touch it and squeeze it. Even the vet had no problem conducting the tests. I'm just real confused on what to do.

A CT or MRI is definitely not needed to determine a torn ligament. It would be a waste of good money that could be spent on the surgery. You can determine a ccl tear by manipulating the joint. its hard to explain how exactly its done but i have done it on some of the dogs that come in so i can see how bad the tear is before surgery. An x-ray can be taken to see if there is an inflammation or arthritis but its not going to help pre or post surgery because you won't see anything. Only in metal implants are used will you be able to see if the placement is good.

Some dogs are very stoic and won't tell you that they are in pain. However limping, holding the leg up, kicking it backwards, or bunny hopping are signs of LP or cranial cruciate tears. Tears hurt more then LPs because the ligament cannot properly hold the stifle in place anymore which causes the femur to slip beyond the joint so its grinding against the head of the tibia.

If your unsure, please get a second opinion to see what another surgeon says. it will make you feel better.

[Hugo12]

Again, Thank you for the informative replies. I'm taking Hugo in for a 2nd opinion today. Hopefully it goes well. If anyone knows of good orthopedic veterinary surgeons in the los angeles area please let me know.

Thanks all!

[Hugo12]

Hugo had surgery today. The surgeon finally called at 7:37p.m. and said everything went great and he's waking up now. I hoepfully should be able to pick him up tomorrow afternoon.

The repaired the ruptured cruciate ligament and the luxating patella. I guess for the kneecap they created a wedge for the kneecap to sit in better.

It's been lonely here without him today. I can't wait to bring my baby home tomorrow and hopefully recovery will go well! I don't really know what recovery is going to entail but I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

[Pettysmith]

My Gizmo who is almost 11 years old went thru this surgery (TPLO Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) one year ago this June. We are very proud of his million dollar let. You have been given some great advice and I know you are glad to have the surgery over with. I have been the Practice Manager at a vets office for 5 of the 11 years I have worked there so had plenty of support. The following link Michigan Veterinary Specialists - Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy - TPLO was the one the surgeon gave me and it really helped. Because of my experience I got to bring Gizmo home that afternoon. As far as the recovery it will be a long but not too hard. Keeping them confined is the hardest part. Just plan on carrying your baby around lots of places. They cannot jump, climb steps, nothing for a long time. Twelve weeks is what I was advised. I was scheduled to have bone surgery on my foot one week after Gizmo injured his leg. Needless to say I put it off until he was all better and did not have my surgery until September. What we will do for our babies. If you have any concerns or questions, my e-mail address is emorymanager@comcast.net. Feel free to e-mail me and ask. If I can't answer I will find out for you. Good luck. Heck, the hardest part for me was having to shave his coat. Enjoy the time you will have to baby and carry around your little one. My Gizmo weighs 12 lbs, hope yours is smaller.

Belinda

Picture 1 is day after surgery and Picture 2 is about 2 weeks later.

[lawsgranny]

Originally Posted by Hugo12

Hugo had surgery today. The surgeon finally called at 7:37p.m. and said everything went great and he's waking up now. I hoepfully should be able to pick him up tomorrow afternoon.

The repaired the ruptured cruciate ligament and the luxating patella. I guess for the kneecap they created a wedge for the kneecap to sit in better.

It's been lonely here without him today. I can't wait to bring my baby home tomorrow and hopefully recovery will go well! I don't really know what recovery is going to entail but I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Hugo, where are you in California? My Sara has just been diagnosed with LP, and I will probably be looking for a good surgeon... I am in So. Cal.

[smartpuppiepets]

I am glad i am not experienced with any of this my self... but i read great advice here..... glad to know he did fine... as far as i read i also know that surgery nowdays are wayyyyyyyyyy better than they used to be.

[mjluchin]

Hello everyone, my 7 1/2 year old female ruptured the cruciate ligament in her right leg last August and I have been practicing conservative management since (crating and rimadyl).

2 weeks ago she ruptured the ligament in her other leg. My veterinarian recommended surgery so I consulted with the board certified orthopaedic surgeon at my local animal emergency hospital, she also recommended surgery.

Since my baby didn't have 1 good leg to stand on, we decided to do both legs at the same time as it is more cost effective and only one recuperation time. Surgery was done last Wednesday and I am told that it went very well. I brought her home on Friday and she is up about and doing well. Has anyone else gone through this? Any advise on the best way to ice the area's? Any other words of wisdom to get through the next six weeks?