ruptured ACL and luxating patella

[pmiller]

Hi everyone,
I'm brand new on this site so hope I'm in the right place. Our wee Jordi had surgery on his ruptured ACL and grade 4 or5 luxating patella Jan. 25th when we were in California. Now we're back home and he's done the very same thing with his other back leg and will be having surgery this Tuesday morning. I wonder if I'd done more physio with that little left leg, if the other one wouldn't have ruptured??? Upon examining the xrays, our home vet noticed that the kneecap on the previously injured and operated on leg, had slipped to the side of his leg!! So he plans on moving it back into place at the same time Jordi's having the other leg repaired. I can hardly stand the thought of how Jordi will recover from this up-coming surgery. If anyone has suggestions or words of encouragement, please pass them on. I'm rather devastated. Hope I've posted this in the proper place.

Jordi's mom
Phyllis

[ArmaniMan]

My parents have a toy poodle who had the same injury (ruptured ACL and LP)... it was repaired when she was just under a year... she is almost 5 now and doing GREAT! She plays, runs,and jumps like there was never anything wrong with her... the rehab was a little tough but it was worth it because she is now pain free and a happy, healthy dog.

I would recommend a joint supplement once she is all healed it helps with the arthritis that often forms after these surgeries.

All my dogs are on Dasuquin (as are my parents) although many here recommend Cosequin.

Good Luck... I know it is tough seeing them go through this but I am sure your baby will be just fine!

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by pmiller

Hi everyone,
I'm brand new on this site so hope I'm in the right place. Our wee Jordi had surgery on his ruptured ACL and grade 4 or5 luxating patella Jan. 25th when we were in California. Now we're back home and he's done the very same thing with his other back leg and will be having surgery this Tuesday morning. I wonder if I'd done more physio with that little left leg, if the other one wouldn't have ruptured??? Upon examining the xrays, our home vet noticed that the kneecap on the previously injured and operated on leg, had slipped to the side of his leg!! So he plans on moving it back into place at the same time Jordi's having the other leg repaired. I can hardly stand the thought of how Jordi will recover from this up-coming surgery. If anyone has suggestions or words of encouragement, please pass them on. I'm rather devastated. Hope I've posted this in the proper place.

Jordi's mom
Phyllis

where was this done in california as i live in cali - was this done by an orthopedic or a vet as sounds like groove was not done deep enough and so your dog reinjured leg and it could have affected the other leg as your dog may have been compensating with other leg after surgery. I am not a big fan of this surgery unless the dog is lifting leg all the time as there can be complications even after surgery. If it is an acl tear or rupture 80% of small dogs do not need this surgery unless after 2 mos of rest dog is still lifting leg - too many vets rush dogs in for this surgery and it is not always the best option - so sorry you are going through this

[pmiller]

Originally Posted by dwerten

where was this done in california as i live in cali - was this done by an orthopedic or a vet as sounds like groove was not done deep enough and so your dog reinjured leg and it could have affected the other leg as your dog may have been compensating with other leg after surgery. I am not a big fan of this surgery unless the dog is lifting leg all the time as there can be complications even after surgery. If it is an acl tear or rupture 80% of small dogs do not need this surgery unless after 2 mos of rest dog is still lifting leg - too many vets rush dogs in for this surgery and it is not always the best option - so sorry you are going through this

Oh my gosh....don't know if I'm writing this in the proper place. Anyway, the Orth. Specialist who did Jordi's surgery was from San Diego. I felt between him and the regular vet we used from Hemet, we didn't have proper follow-up. I now realize how crucial the physio is after surgery so am upset with all of them for not stressing the importance of physio, plus blaming myself for not figuring it out myself. Jordi recovered quickly and was walking well but when he speeded up he would have a bunny gait so probably wasn't putting the injured leg down much at all. I tried to walk him slowly but Yorkies will be Yorkies! I'll know better after this next surgery. Thanks for you reply.

Jordi's mom
Phyllis

[pmiller]

Oh dear.....I think I replied in the wrong place. Anyway, Jordi's Orth. Surgeon was from San Diego and the regular vet was in Hemet. They didn't tell me how important physio was after his operation so I'm pretty upset about that because I think it's key in proper recovery. This time around I'll be paying special attention to his physio and take him on SLOW walks only. As soon as he picks up any speed at all, he does the bunny gait thing with his back legs....not good. I guess we learn as we go, but it certainly would help to have this info up front from the vet. I appreciate your reply.

Jordi's mom
Phyllis

[Toby'sMama]

My dog also had a torn acl along with a 3/4 LP on the same leg. The other leg was a 3 LP. My ortho vet suggested fixing both legs at the same time. He gave me the option of only doing the worst one -- but said that most likely within 6 months I would probably have to do the other one. I opted to do both at the same time and now -- a year and a half later -- we have no problems at all. Good luck with the second surgery. At least you know what you're in for with this one!!! Let us know how your baby is doing...

[Mom to Hot Rod]

My Hot Rod had lp surgery a year ago and is now on Dasuquin. Each vet is different. My surgeon (who is board certified and has a yorkie himself) recommended no exericise for 6 weeks. He said only minimal walking. Hot Rod will still pick his leg up but over all he doing great. Good luck with your surgery. Yes, it is very important to have the proper doctors and after care. Hugs.

[TLC]

IMO the recommended LP surgery is "Cut and Pin" and Deepen the Grove and tighten the Ligaments. I would confirm this with the Orth Surgeon.

I bet, the first time around all they did was deepen the grove and tighten the ligaments. Plus if he was not kept in containment for the 8 week recovery, he could have easily slipped it out again.

Do a search here on YT for: Luxating Patella

You will find a great deal of info.

Remember, it is an 8 week recovery. The first couple weeks are only five to ten mins, leashed potty breaks - that's it!!!

As the weeks go by, you can give him a little more walk time. NO jumping or NO running. When he is not doing potty, sleeping or being held by you, he should be contained to a crate or expen.

[Kirby]

Sydney just had surgery on both knees. Her bandages come off tomorrow. It has been very difficult keeping her calm. She'll be laying one moment, and running off the next. We've noticed that she actually moves on her front legs versus the back. Her vet said she would do this. If I chase after her, though, it makes her keep going. So, I've learned to sit on the floor, and then she'll come to me.

Her vet and a second opinion vet recommended having both done at the same time. She's ten-months-old and they said her youth was on her side.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes. You'll both be in my prayers.

[pmiller]

Jordi had both legs operated on a week ago and the bandages were taken off last Friday. Seemed early to me, but that's what the vet wanted. His right back leg is almost completely rigid and his little foot folds under when he stands!! The left leg seems ok. He's being strictly confined this time around with x-pens in three rooms of the house. I'm doing massage and flexing the two legs but the right doesn't seem to be responding. Do I need to panic? I'm just waiting to call the Vet now.

Phyllis
Jordi's mom

[TLC]

Originally Posted by pmiller

Jordi had both legs operated on a week ago and the bandages were taken off last Friday. Seemed early to me, but that's what the vet wanted. His right back leg is almost completely rigid and his little foot folds under when he stands!! The left leg seems ok. He's being strictly confined this time around with x-pens in three rooms of the house. I'm doing massage and flexing the two legs but the right doesn't seem to be responding. Do I need to panic? I'm just waiting to call the Vet now.

Phyllis
Jordi's mom

Roxy had both done at the same time too! The first 3 weeks are awful (no lie, sorry). I made a sling from a baby blanket to wrap under her belly to help her do potty. She was confined to a 4-panel expen at all times.

Call the Vet when ever you need too, I am sure you paid a lot of money for this op and you should talk to the Vet when ever you have questions, better to be safe than sorry

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Yes, I would call the vet. With this tye of surgery the initial "therapy" is so important. We had a 2 week checkup appt after Hot Rod had his surgery. Our surgeon had us keep Hot Rod still or his recuperation. The largest area that we were allowed to have in him was a 3 x 3 area. We had to carry him to and from potty.

Hope your little recovers quickly and well.

[yorkiepuppie]

how is jordi doing? i hope she is doing better and have a very speedy recover.