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-   -   patella repair (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sick-injured-emergencies-talk/206866-patella-repair.html)

GBCOCKERHAM 06-22-2010 03:04 PM
patella repair
 
Took henry to the vet and he needs patella repair, i asked him to refer me to a orthopedic surgeon,and he says he does these often.
I asked about the procedure and recovery.
I really want an orthopedic surgeon .
I need advice on this and would like to hear any experiences with
other yorkies
carolyn and henry

Yorkiedaze 06-22-2010 05:45 PM
I answered your pm to me, but my orthopedic surgeon that repaired the botched patella surgery done by a regular Vet. is here in Ventura CA. His name is Kenneth Bruecker. Probably too far for you to travel though. He owns his own hospital and teaches a technique he invented world wide.

Patti 06-22-2010 06:33 PM
My Pixie just had hers repaired a week ago by a board certified surgeon. My vet referred me to her. It is pretty intense surgery and recovery. The ortho surgeon re grooved her knee cap, cut a bone and moved it over and put a stitch on the inside to hold a ligament or something like that. The first few days, Pixie was pretty out of if but now that she is healing it is getting hard to keep her confined and calm. I think you are right in having a orthopedic surgeon do it. Keep us posted.

capt_noonie 06-22-2010 11:03 PM
What grade was he diagnosed with? some vets are overzealous when it comes to surgery. Uni has grade 3 and has only lifted once, and two vets said surgery was not necessary unless it progressed to lameness.

Mom to Hot Rod 06-23-2010 05:57 AM
We went thru the surgery last year. As Patti said, it is pretty intense and the recovery is a long time. Ours was 6 weeks with no walking except to potty.

I would highly recommend a board certified surgeon who is well versed with small animals. There are several ways to repair the patella, make sure to have the surgeon explain each and ask questions if something does not make sense. Best of luck to you. Please let us know how your little one does. Hugs.

Ellie May 06-23-2010 10:33 AM
Please don't settle for a regular vet if you aren't comfortable with it.
I'd want a board certified surgeon too in most cases.
I have met a general DVM that does ortho surgery and all reports I've heard are very positive, so I would let him do Ellie; but generally speaking, when in doubt go to an ortho.

A vet should never hesitate to refer you out if you want a second opinion.

107barney 06-23-2010 10:54 AM
Our dog Daisy has two bum knees. Both are grade 4 luxating patella. She had surgery on one leg in 2002 and it was performed by a board certified orthopedic surgeon. She has done great with no problems since. We had to do surgery as she was lame. The other leg is a grade 4 also but we have been advised that surgery is not recommended for her as she is not in pain and she is fully mobile. My choice was a board certified surgeon as I was not comfortable with allowing a general vet to perform a specialty surgery.

Belamia 06-23-2010 02:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBCOCKERHAM (Post 3172482)
Took henry to the vet and he needs patella repair, i asked him to refer me to a orthopedic surgeon,and he says he does these often.
I asked about the procedure and recovery.
I really want an orthopedic surgeon .
I need advice on this and would like to hear any experiences with
other yorkies
carolyn and henry
Just a suggestion: Can you ask your vet for a few references of yorkie owners he had performed the surgery? Maybe you can ask the secretary ... and call around to see how did go ??? i hope is not a complicated case.
Good luck !

GBCOCKERHAM 06-24-2010 01:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by capt_noonie (Post 3172929)
What grade was he diagnosed with? some vets are overzealous when it comes to surgery. Uni has grade 3 and has only lifted once, and two vets said surgery was not necessary unless it progressed to lameness.
he did not give a grade . we have a vet school,with a orthopedic surgeon only 30 miles
from us MISSISSIPPI STATE SCHOOL OF VETENARIAN MEDICINE. i dont want students
doing the surgery and being handeled by so many different people. i could go to alabama, tenn. louisana,arkansas.

Maxman 06-24-2010 01:38 PM
My vet told me that my Max has a "displacing patella"but surgery is not needed yet.Out of curiosity,how much does something like this cost?

Patti 06-24-2010 07:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxman (Post 3174996)
My vet told me that my Max has a "displacing patella"but surgery is not needed yet.Out of curiosity,how much does something like this cost?
Pixie's was 2300.00 plus 350.00 the week before for the er visit and Xrays. I think that is on the high end. Pixie had her knee cap re grooved, the bone cut and moved over and a stitch to hold a ligament in place. I was expecting it to be more like 1500.00. I hope Max can avoid surgery. Did your vet advise you to give him glucosamine supplements and keep his weight down and limit his jumping? All of those things can help.

ladyjane 06-24-2010 11:15 PM
I would definitely go to a board certified orthopedic vet.

You can do a search for one in your area on this site:


American College of Veterinary Surgeons


There is a ton of information there, including Patellar Luxation which is at:


ACVS - Health Conditions

Brooklynn 06-25-2010 04:13 AM
I have 3 with LP and all are grade 3 and not limping or in pain and I'm not having surgery as long as there is no pain or limping present. Weight management and limiting jumping has helped mine avoid surgery. But of course I'd go to a board certified surgeon for this type of surgery. I personally am not electing surgery due to no pain or limping and my dogs still run full blast outside and in and out doggy doors with no problems :)

Donna

ladyjane 06-25-2010 04:32 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooklynn (Post 3175540)
I have 3 with LP and all are grade 3 and not limping or in pain and I'm not having surgery as long as there is no pain or limping present. Weight management and limiting jumping has helped mine avoid surgery. But of course I'd go to a board certified surgeon for this type of surgery. I personally am not electing surgery due to no pain or limping and my dogs still run full blast outside and in and out doggy doors with no problems :)

Donna

Totally agree! I have pups with LP in varying degrees and none have required surgery.

I suggested a surgeon for a second opinion, not because I believe surgery is always needed. I know the specialist that I use for orthopedic problems does not recommend surgery unless there is a real problem with ambulation and/or pain.

Brooklynn 06-25-2010 04:36 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3175560)
Totally agree! I have pups with LP in varying degrees and none have required surgery.

I suggested a surgeon for a second opinion, not because I believe surgery is always needed. I know the specialist that I use for orthopedic problems does not recommend surgery unless there is a real problem with ambulation and/or pain.
I'm just glad I have "GREAT" vets :) I have two that I trust and both have said with it so common in the toy breeds and as long as no pain or limping on a consistant basis no need for it.

ladyjane 06-25-2010 05:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooklynn (Post 3175565)
I'm just glad I have "GREAT" vets :) I have two that I trust and both have said with it so common in the toy breeds and as long as no pain or limping on a consistant basis no need for it.

I hear that! My regular vet and my ortho vet both are very conservative about LP. It IS common in these pups! And, I know that many times they do fine without surgery. I had a pup who had LP all of the ten years that I had him (I had adopted him as an adult). He died in 2006 from other causes...never needed surgery for his knees, nor did he suffer from them. He had been seen by vets in NJ and even in those days, my vets did not suggest surgery!

Just like human doctors, some vets suggest surgery more than I am comfortable with. We all know that that does happen. Ever see a person with a bad back? If they are not careful about the physicians they choose, they can often end up with multiple surgeries and end up in worse shape than when they started. We just need to be educated consumers and choose our professionals carefully.

Patti 06-25-2010 07:15 AM
I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.

Brooklynn 06-25-2010 07:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patti (Post 3175732)
I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.
I think more vets are cautious with liver compromised dogs but just my opinion you did what you felt necessary for Pixie...I have 3 at home in the same situation that they are out permanently but they are very active no pain and still no surgery :) They run, they actually still jump and run in and out the doggie door but I do have to keep their weight under control so that seems to help tremendously. Again, you did what you thought was best for your Pixie :)
Donna

Brooklynn 06-25-2010 07:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3175600)
I hear that! My regular vet and my ortho vet both are very conservative about LP. It IS common in these pups! And, I know that many times they do fine without surgery. I had a pup who had LP all of the ten years that I had him (I had adopted him as an adult). He died in 2006 from other causes...never needed surgery for his knees, nor did he suffer from them. He had been seen by vets in NJ and even in those days, my vets did not suggest surgery!

Just like human doctors, some vets suggest surgery more than I am comfortable with. We all know that that does happen. Ever see a person with a bad back? If they are not careful about the physicians they choose, they can often end up with multiple surgeries and end up in worse shape than when they started. We just need to be educated consumers and choose our professionals carefully.
I have a bad back but no surgeries for me LOL...they can kiss my bootie LOL..again, as long as my yorkies with LP have no pain or limping no surgery for them either :)

ladyjane 06-25-2010 10:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patti (Post 3175732)
I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.

Of course you did the right thing! Don't second guess yourself! Some pups DO need surgery. All we are saying is that many do not and clearly you and your vets know that.

Ellie May 06-25-2010 10:30 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patti (Post 3175732)
I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.
From Cpnnie's posts about the symptoms, I'm pretty sure you did the right thing! Well, I can say I would've done the same.

Patti 06-25-2010 11:43 AM
Thanks. It's so hard when you see your baby post surgery and you start wondering. But I know once she starts feeling better so will I.

DamSweet 06-25-2010 12:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patti (Post 3175732)
I have one with grade 4 in both legs and my vet and I decided to take a wait and see approach as she is my MVD girl. Her legs look bad as they are out permanently, but she has no trouble walking, limited jumping and is my most most active one. Now on Pixie, who was grade 3 in her left leg, the 2 er vets said she needed surgery, I took her to my vet she said she had no groove and felt she would need surgery. Took her to the Ortho surgeon, who has treated Cali and Maya for other reasons and I knew wasn't surgery happy, and she said she needed it. So we did it. Do I think we did the right thing? I'm not sure but 3 vets and an ortho surgeon advised it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3175938)
Of course you did the right thing! Don't second guess yourself! Some pups DO need surgery. All we are saying is that many do not and clearly you and your vets know that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellie May (Post 3175943)
From Cpnnie's posts about the symptoms, I'm pretty sure you did the right thing! Well, I can say I would've done the same.
:thumbup: See!!!

Patti 06-25-2010 01:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DamSweet (Post 3176055)
:thumbup: See!!!
LOL Thanks!!

Maxman 06-25-2010 01:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Patti (Post 3175366)
Pixie's was 2300.00 plus 350.00 the week before for the er visit and Xrays. I think that is on the high end. Pixie had her knee cap re grooved, the bone cut and moved over and a stitch to hold a ligament in place. I was expecting it to be more like 1500.00. I hope Max can avoid surgery. Did your vet advise you to give him glucosamine supplements and keep his weight down and limit his jumping? All of those things can help.
No,my vet did not reccomend any of that.She just said the he may or may not have trouble in like 10 years.Right now he's 5 months old.I thought she was a good vet,but now I'm not so sure.Why wasn't any of these things reccomended?

Tessa Arnold 06-29-2010 05:32 PM
Hey Ya'll. I'm in Nashville and just found out that Jackson has the same issue. I have to do something soon cause he limps alot. I try to monitor his jumping up, jumping down he lands on the front legs and seem to be little or no problem. He is a strong little guy and never yelps but i can tell its bothering him... I just tell him to walk it off, LOL. It seems to make him feel better. Anyway, my vet said it could be up to $2500, which I don't have in my pocket right now, and am hoping to find an excellent board cert. ortho that takes payment, lol right? I can travel within 60 miles of Nashville or 60 miles of Jackson, MS. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

ladyjane 06-29-2010 06:12 PM
If you apply for Care Credit and go to a surgeon who accepts it often there is zero interest.

www.carecredit.com

Patti 06-29-2010 06:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tessa Arnold (Post 3181328)
Hey Ya'll. I'm in Nashville and just found out that Jackson has the same issue. I have to do something soon cause he limps alot. I try to monitor his jumping up, jumping down he lands on the front legs and seem to be little or no problem. He is a strong little guy and never yelps but i can tell its bothering him... I just tell him to walk it off, LOL. It seems to make him feel better. Anyway, my vet said it could be up to $2500, which I don't have in my pocket right now, and am hoping to find an excellent board cert. ortho that takes payment, lol right? I can travel within 60 miles of Nashville or 60 miles of Jackson, MS. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry to hear about Jackson. Pixie's was 2650.00 all together and I was able to put it all on the Care Credit with 12 months interest free. You can apply for one now and then have it when you need it. Good luck and keep us posted.


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