Introduction
If a dog owner suspects their pet has possibly ruptured their ACL, prompt treatment is crucial. The injury, left untreated, can become degenerative and any chance of recovery will be lost. In addition, a dog that favors an injured leg for too long a time runs the risk of harming the leg it is using to support its weight.
Treating ACL Injuries in Dogs
Surgery is the typical route for treating ACL injuries in dogs. That’s because there is no way that the torn ligaments will reattach without a surgical procedure. The veterinarian must first remove any remnants of the torn ligament and the meniscus, if that too is damaged.
A surgery known as extracapsular surgery is usually performed. In this surgery, heavy suture material is inserted and stretched over the joint from the outside lower portion of the femur, or thigh bone, to the inside upper portion of the tibia, or shin bone. That is the same position that the ACL would normally inhabit in the knee. After several months, scar tissue will form and the knee joint will be stabilized.
After surgery, a dog’s physical activity must be extremely limited. Even after it begins to put weight on the repaired knee, sometimes within a few weeks, it should initially be limited to walks on a leash and kept to a confined area indoors. The total healing process usually takes several months.
In some cases, if the dog is older or if the ligament is only partially torn, a more conservative approach can be used. This method requires controlling the dog’s activity, using low-impact walking and swimming to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint.
Finally, anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to reduce swelling in the knee, and if obesity was a factor in the injury, a low calorie diet should be instituted.