Who has had a knee surgery?
 

My little boy has had a patella problem since a baby. Right now I'm considering a surgery to stop the skipping-on-one-leg.

He is currently 2 years old and 3.2lbs. My vet says the 'rod' they use in the surgery might even be bigger than his bones. This is why he referred me to a surgeon/specialist.

Before I go, I just want to know if anyone has gone through with the surgery? Please tell ur story!

My 3.3 lb. senior girl has had one knee surgery. Don't know what the doc is talking about when he talks about a rod. For my Cocoa the vet just hollowed out the bone so it would fit better and then he realigned the muscles. Joanne

My Zada had both knees done at the same time and they put tiny (I mean itty-bitty) titanium rods in both knees. The recovery is 6 to 8 weeks. No running and jumping. I kept her in her expen with crate attached for the entire 8 weeks. After two weeks I took her out back on the leash for a few minutes two to three times a day and very gradually increase the time for the next 6 weeks. She was such a trooper!!! Never cried once the entire time.

oh mine, how brave! ;)

Did your babies need physio for the healing?
how would you prevent them from running??

Just one baby had the surgery. She was a grade 3.
Here is how she lived for 8 weeks.

omg! what a brave lil girl:thumbup:
so after the 8 weeks she just started walking perfectly?
I heard that it might come back.... is that true?

Yes IMO Grade 3 and 4 should have surgery to stop the luxation. I would ONLY hve a Board Cert. Ortho Surgeon do this though, as they have the experience, knowledge, skill and judgement when they are actually 'in there' :thumbup:

After the first week, they usually are back to normal ~ well at least in their little brains they are, and they do not understand, why oh why can't they be FREE (hahahahaha) ~ But because they have no idea that they just had major surgery, the 8 week containment healing period must be taken seriously, as they could re injury that leg or the other ;)

I just got the all clear from the Dr. after one of mine had both knees done, as well as fixing a blown cruciate ligament. Yesterday was the 9 week check-up. Mine was supposed to have both casts on for 2 weeks but ended up figuring out how to get them wet and taken off, along with the getting the staples taken out a week early. For the first five weeks, it was pretty much the ex-pen, crate or stroller. After that, just kept an eye out for too much activity. Per the Dr.'s orders, I started with the walking/exercise program and went from there. Luckily, for the first month, I didn't have to take any jobs -- except for a couple that I got to take my baby with me. I spent many, many hours sitting on the couch, holding and comforting my baby.

I would definitely suggest that anyone having to get this done, please see a Board Authorized Orthopedic surgeon. Mine was absolutely wonderful. Yep, it'll most likely cost more then your regular vet, and I'm not saying that some regular vets would be able to do the basic surgery. I don't know about rods being put in -- unless you're referring to the pins. (That's what mine has) The cruciate ligament repair made the left knee more involved (and added to the cost).

I may be in the poorhouse now -- but I would do it again if it were needed.

The part that upsets me, is that if the parents of my dog had not been bred, this poor dog would have not have had to go through this. Then again, I probably wouldn't have "this" baby that I love more than I can even say. Luxating Patella IS a heriditary problem that was passed on to my dog!