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Spondylosis deformans

What is Spondylosis deformans?

Spondylosis deformans is a condition that affects the vertebral bones of the spine and is best characterised by the presence of bony spurs or osteophytes along the edges of the bones of the spine.

A bony spur may develop in a single spot on the spine; more commonly, there will be multiple bone spurs in several different locations along the spine.

The most common places that spondylosis deformans lesions develop are along the thoracic vertebrae (chest), especially at the junction between the rib cage and the abdomen, in the lumbar spine (lower back) and in the lumbosacral spine (around the hips and back legs). In some cases the bony spurs may become large enough that they appear to form a complete bridge between adjacent vertebral bones.

Spondylosis deformans is a chronic condition that is associated with aging. Research indicates that it often develops as a secondary problem related to degenerative disease of the intervertebral discs.

What are the symptoms of Spondylosis deformans?

Most dogs with spondylosis deformans are free of any symptoms. Affected dogs may show signs of:

How is Spondylosis deformans diagnosed?

This condition is usually diagnosed from X-rays of the spine. In some cases, it may be an ‘incidental finding’ that is noticed when radiographs are taken for some other reason.

How is a Spondylosis deformans treated?

Treatment recommendations depend on the individual dog and whether or not it is showing any clinical signs.

Most dogs with spondylosis deformans appear to be pain-free and in these cases treatment is not necessary. If the pet appears to be painful, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other analgesics may provide relief. Physiotherapy, weight loss, and controlled exercise programs may be helpful in some cases.

In rare cases, the osteophytes may be causing spinal cord compression, and in these cases, surgery to remove them may be indicated.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is a process which aims to maximise patient mobility and wellbeing, returning them to their usual way of life following illness, injury or surgery. We restore pets to normal function (or as close as is possible), efficiently and safely using a wide variety of physiotherapeutic techniques.

Injury and even surgery can disrupt the body’s equilibrium in all sorts of direct and indirect ways. Even a pet’s own protective responses such as the inflammatory process can overwhelm and inhibit healing so one objective of rehabilitation is to reduce this level of inflammation. During rehabilitation, we also aim to boost the circulatory system, improve muscle function, increase range of motion within joints, and stimulate innate pain-relieving mechanisms.

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

The best rehabilitation programmes consider the whole pet, not just the area of injury; we target and improve multiple systems throughout the body without forgetting the invaluable healing effects of boosting mental wellbeing too. From the wound healing properties of laser treatment, and the muscle strengthening of hydrotherapy, to the circulation boosting effects of massage, we will devise a rehabilitation programme to match a pet’s specific requirements.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Cervical Disc Disease

Atlanto-axial Subluxation

TTA Surgery for Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Limb Amputation

Total Elbow Replacement Surgery (TER)

Cushing’s Syndrome

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Osteochondrosis

What is Osteochondrosis?

Osteochondrosis is a common condition that affects the joints of young, rapidly growing dogs. The surface of the joint (the articular cartilage) fails to convert into bone in specific locations. This results in areas of thickened cartilage. These areas are weak and cause the thickened cartilage to detach from the surrounding normal cartilage and form a flap.

This process is called osteochondritis dissecans (or OCD). The flap of abnormal cartilage may detach from the surface of the joint and form what is termed a ‘joint mouse’.

Osteochondrosis causes the development of secondary osteoarthritis. Osteochondrosis primarily affects the shoulder, elbow, knee (stifle) and ankle (hock) joints. The condition frequently affects both left and right joints (termed ‘bilateral’).

What are the symptoms of Osteochondrosis?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

How is Osteochondrosis diagnosed?

Examination may reveal muscle wastage. Manipulation of the affected joint(s) may cause pain. Swelling and restriction in range of movement may be evident.

X-rays are the most common method of diagnosing osteochondrosis. They enable the presence and severity of secondary osteoarthritis to be assessed. A more sensitive way of diagnosing the condition in this joint is by placing a small camera in the joint – this is called arthroscopic examination.

How is a Osteochondrosis treated?

Shoulder Osteochondrosis

Surgery is generally indicated to remove the fragment of loose cartilage. This can be done arthroscopically or via a direct surgical approach. Following removal of the flap of cartilage the defect heals with an inferior type of cartilage called fibrocartilage.

Conservative management of shoulder osteochondrosis is generally not recommended as pain and lameness may persist as long as the cartilage flap remains attached. The results of this approach are uncontrollable and unpredictable.

The majority of dogs with shoulder osteochondrosis recover very well following surgery. Lameness usually resolves despite the development of osteoarthritis. Occasionally stiffness or lameness after vigorous exercise will be evident.

Stifle Osteochondrosis

Surgery is generally advised to remove the fragment of loose cartilage. Following removal of the flap of cartilage the defect heals with an inferior type of cartilage called fibrocartilage. Conservative management is occasionally indicated, especially in older dogs.

Some dogs do quite well following stifle osteochondrosis surgery and others remain lame. It is not possible to predict the outcome in individual cases.

Hock Osteochondrosis

When the condition is diagnosed at a young age, for example six months, surgery is generally recommended to remove the fragment of loose cartilage. Following removal the defect heals with an inferior type of cartilage called fibrocartilage. In selected cases reattachment of loose areas of bone and cartilage can be attempted. If successful this can give a good outcome, although complications can be seen. Conservative management may be appropriate in older dogs that have established osteoarthritis.

Some dogs with hock osteochondrosis develop severe secondary osteoarthritis that results in permanent pain and lameness. If the response to conservative management (weight regulation, exercise restriction, painkillers) is unsatisfactory, salvage surgery may be required. This involves fusing the joint (arthrodesis). A bone graft is packed into the joint following removal of cartilage and the joint is stabilised with a plate and screws.

The outlook with hock osteochondrosis is quite guarded, with many dogs having some degree of persistent stiffness and lameness.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Wobblers Syndrome

Intervertebral Disc Disease

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy Surgery (TPO)

Degenerative Myelopathy

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

Limb Deformity

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Limb Deformity

What is Limb Deformity?

Like people, the limbs of dogs are meant to be relatively straight. The mechanism by which puppies limbs develop and grow is very complex. Occasionally these processes go wrong and deformities result.

There are zones at the ends of the bones in immature animals that are responsible for increasing bone length in a symmetrical manner. These are called the growth plates.

Limb deformities may either be present at birth or become apparent during growth. There are a number of possible causes of limb deformities, the two most common being a genetic disorder and injury.

What are the symptoms of Limb Deformity?

Many dogs with mild growth deformities can be managed non-surgically. The deformity may be primarily cosmetic rather than causing pain and lameness.

In general, the smaller and more sedentary the patient, the greater should be the consideration for conservative management. In adult animals, corrective surgery is elective and thus can be considered at any time if the response to conservative management is unsatisfactory

How is Limb Deformity diagnosed?

X-ray (radiography) is the principle method of investigating growth deformities. It enables assessment of the location of the deformity and also the direction and magnitude of the deformity.

How is a Limb Deformity treated?

Conservative management may necessitate exercise restriction, such as avoidance of agility-type activities or jumping down from heights. This is especially important in immature dogs to reduce the possibility of further growth plate injury.

Overweight animals should be placed on a diet. In dogs with remaining growth potential, the rate of growth should be evaluated and reduced if necessary by limiting food intake and considering changing feeding from a growth to an adult formula diet under veterinary guidance.

The type of surgery will vary according to the age of the dog (since this influences the remaining growth potential), the bone or bones affected, the possibility of joint involvement, and the severity of the deformity.

The most common surgical procedures performed in immature dogs with growth deformities are:

Ostectomy of a paired bone
Corrective Ostectomy
Limb lengthening

Restriction of exercise following surgery is necessary until there is radiographic evidence of bone healing (usually six to eight weeks). Active and passive physiotherapy techniques are often beneficial.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Total Knee Replacement Surgery (TKR)

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)

Osteochondrosis

Lumbosacral stenosis

TTA Surgery for Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Hip Dysplasia

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Patellar Luxation

What is Patellar Luxation?

The patella is a small bone at the front of the knee (the knee-cap). It is positioned between the quadriceps muscle and a tendon that attaches to the shin bone. The patella glides in a groove at the end of the thigh bone as the knee flexes and extends.

Occasionally the patella slips out of the groove. This is called luxation or dislocation,. Most commonly the luxation is towards the inside (medial aspect) of the knee, however, it can also dislocate towards the outside (lateral aspect) of the joint.

The patella luxates because it (and the quadriceps mechanism in general) is not aligned properly with the underlying groove. The resultant abnormal tracking or movement of the patella causes it to slip out of the groove.

Patellar luxation is associated with the development of osteoarthritis within the knee . This occurs in every case. Osteoarthritis tends to be a progressive disorder and it is doubtful whether treatment of the patellar luxation reduces or stops this progression.

Occasionally luxation of the patella is associated with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in the knee. This may be due to chance or possibly due to abnormal forces on the joint that weaken the ligament.

What are the symptoms of Patellar Luxation?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

How is Patellar Luxation diagnosed?

Examination may reveal muscle wastage, especially over the front of the thigh, although this is often minimal.

Manipulation of the knee may enable the detection of instability of the patella as it slips in and out of the groove. In some dogs the patella is permanently out of the groove.

The severity of the luxation is graded from 1 to 4, with a grade 4 being the most severe.

X-rays provide additional information, especially regarding the presence and severity of osteoarthritis.

How is a Patellar Luxation treated?

Some dogs with patellar luxation can be managed satisfactorily without the need for surgery. The smaller the dog and the milder the grade of luxation (e.g. grade 1 out of 4), the more likely it is that this approach will be successful.

Exercise may need to be restricted. Hydrotherapy is often beneficial. Dogs that are overweight benefit from being placed on a diet. Regular monitoring of weight may be necessary.

Many dogs with patellar luxation benefit from surgery. The key types of surgery are:

Quadriceps realignment surgery
Trochlea (Groove) deepening surgery
Femoral Osteotomy surgery

Exercise following femoral osteotomy surgery must be restricted until the cut bone has healed. Exercise must be on a lead or harness to prevent strenuous activity. Jumping and climbing should be avoided. X-rays are necessary between six and eight weeks following surgery to ensure bone healing is progressing without complication. Exercise may then be gradually increased in a controlled manner as guided by a physiotherapist and Hydrotherapy is often recommended.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL)

Arthrodesis

Elbow Dysplasia

Wobblers Syndrome

Osteoarthritis

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Humeral Condylar Fissures/Fractures

What is Humeral Condylar Fissures/Fractures?

The humeral condyle is the name given to the end of the bone (called the humerus) at the top of the front leg. Along with the radius and the ulna, the humeral condyle makes up the elbow joint.

In some dogs, a crack or fissure can form across the humeral condyle. This can be painful and cause lameness, and it can also predispose the condyle to a complete fracture or break.

These fractures are often not caused by any major trauma, but can occur during normal exercise – particularly when jumping from a height. The condition has also been referred to as incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (or IOHC).

What are the symptoms of Humeral Condylar Fissures/Fractures?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

How is Humeral Condylar Fissures/Fractures diagnosed?

Large fissures, cracks or fractures within the humeral condyle can be detected on X-rays, but incomplete or subtle fissures can often only be diagnosed on a CT scan. Because humeral condylar fissures often affect both forelimbs, it is usually recommended to CT scan both elbows.

How is a Humeral Condylar Fissures/Fractures treated?

In some dogs with very subtle fissures, no treatment is needed, but in the majority of cases surgery is recommended to reduce pain and minimise the risk of the condyle fracturing.

Surgery is the best treatment for almost all humeral condylar fractures. The operation involves repositioning the bone fragments back into the correct place and stabilising them using screws, pins and bone plates.

Fracture repair can be challenging due to the involvement of the joint, the small size of the fragments and the possibility of an underlying weakness in the bone that can affect fracture healing.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Patellar Luxation

Thoracolumbar Disc Disease

Arthrodesis

Wobblers Syndrome

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL)

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Fractures

What are Fractures?

As with people, fractures occur commonly in dogs. There is a huge variety of different types of fractures, and these all have different treatments and carry different outlooks.

Although having a fracture can be very traumatic for both pet and owner, the good news is that, with the correct treatment, most fractures in dogs and cats will heal well and most animals can regain normal use of their legs.

How are Fractures treated?

Many fractures occur as a result of significant trauma, such as being hit by a car, and in these patients it is important that any life-threatening injuries are recognised and managed before treating the fracture which can generally be attended to less urgently.

Depending on the type of fracture, different forms of treatment might be recommended. Initially, X-rays or a CT scan are performed to assess the broken bone and plan the treatment. Some fractures, especially in very young animals, can be treated using fibreglass casts.

Most animals are best treated with an operation due to their inability to appropriately rest the affected bones. This allows the broken bones to be re-aligned and stabilised. Options for stabilising the bones include bone plates and screws, pins that are placed inside the bone, or external frames that are connected to the bone using pins going through the skin. Some fractures are relatively straightforward to manage and others are very complex, necessitating considerable orthopaedic instrumentation, implants and expertise.

Following surgery, most animals are very comfortable and are able to walk relatively normally within a few days.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Osteoarthritis

Limb Amputation

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)

Patellar Luxation

Osteochondrosis

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Elbow Dysplasia

What is Elbow Dysplasia?

Elbow dysplasia is a catch-all term that means there is an abnormal development of the elbow joint. It inevitably leads to the development of arthritis. Either the elbow dysplasia or the secondary arthritis may cause elbow pain.

Elbow dysplasia is a genetic disorder. An uneven fit of the three bones in the elbow is suspected and this results in abnormal distribution of weight within the joint. Points of increased pressure cause damage to the cartilage covering the bones, and fragmentation of cartilage and the underlying bone may develop.

Elbow dysplasia is a common condition, especially in large breed dogs.

What are the symptoms of Elbow Dysplasia?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

How is Elbow Dysplasia diagnosed?

Examination may reveal muscle wastage, especially over the hips. Manipulation of the joints may cause increased pain and instability may be palpable. Swelling and restriction in the range of motion may also be evident.

X-rays are necessary to diagnose elbow dysplasia. They enable the severity of the abnormal joint development and presence of secondary osteoarthritis to be assessed.

A CT scan is a form of X-ray that produces thin slices through the joint in any plane. These images can be reformatted to give a 3-D model of the joint. CT gives excellent detail of the shape (congruency) of the joint and enables detection of small bony fragments. Damage to the surface of the joint can be assessed by placing a small camera in the joint – this is called arthroscopic examination. It provides more detail of the joint surfaces than radiographs or a CT scan.

How is a Elbow Dysplasia treated?

Some dogs with elbow dysplasia can be managed satisfactorily without the need for surgery. Exercise often needs to be controlled to some degree. Each dog will have its own threshold of duration and type of activity beyond which elbow pain may increase. Hydrotherapy is often beneficial. Dogs that are overweight benefit from being placed on a diet.

Dogs with elbow dysplasia that fail to respond satisfactorily to conservative treatment may need surgery. There are three key types of surgery:

Fragment removal
Incongruency surgery
Salvage surgery

The outlook or prognosis with elbow dysplasia and the associated osteochondrosis/osteoarthritis is quite variable. Some dogs can be managed successfully with conservative treatment involving modification of exercise and weight, with or without the need for anti-inflammatory painkiller drugs. Others benefit from removal of cartilage and bone fragments or surgery to improve joint congruency. The majority of dogs lead satisfactory lives, although their exercise and weight may need to be closely monitored. A degree of stiffness and lameness, especially after exercise, is not uncommon.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Lumbosacral stenosis

Thoracolumbar Disc Disease

Patellar Luxation

Fractures

Total Hip Replacement Surgery (THR)

Arthrodesis

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy Surgery (TPO)

What is Triple Pelvic Osteotomy Surgery (TPO)?

Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) is a surgery performed in medium to large breed dogs with early clinical hip dysplasia signs. The goals of the procedure are eliminating coxofemoral joint laxity, improving hip congruity, and normalising stresses on the hip joint. This should help to prevent or reduce the development of osteoarthritis.

Why would an Triple Pelvic Osteotomy Surgery (TPO) be recommended?

Candidates for triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) are dogs over 30 pounds and older than 5 months of age but rarely older than 1 year of age. If hip looseness is seen on X-Rays without evidence of arthritis, the TPO is usually a very good option. A sedated examination is required in addition to the X-Rays in order to evaluate the degree of looseness and to determine the degree of correction that would be required with surgery.

What does Triple Pelvic Osteotomy Surgery (TPO) involve?

A TPO involves bone cuts in the pelvis so that the socket portion of the joint can be rotated over the ball; the bones are then stabilised with a bone plate. The surgery helps to provide better coverage of the ball portion of the hip joint, which eliminates joint laxity. Typically, dogs that undergo this procedure are puppies and younger than 1 year of age. The procedure can be performed on both sides simultaneously but, more commonly, each procedure is separated by four to six weeks. Once arthritis is apparent on X-Rays, a TPO can no longer be performed.

What is post surgical life like after Triple Pelvic Osteotomy Surgery (TPO)?

Aftercare following TPO surgery is very important, with rehabilitation taking many months. Exercise must be very restricted for the first few weeks until the soft tissues and cut bone heal, and at this stage is primarily for toileting purposes. It must be on a lead or harness to prevent strenuous activity. At other times confinement to a pen or a small room in the house is necessary with avoidance of jumping and climbing.

After a few weeks, exercise may be gradually increased in a controlled manner (still on a lead) as guided by a physiotherapist and Hydrotherapy may be recommended.

A check-up is necessary six to eight weeks after the operation. Limb and stifle function are checked at this time. X-rays are obtained to evaluate healing of the bone. Depending on progress advice is given regarding increasing exercise.

Post surgical rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Hip Dysplasia

Traumatic disc extrusion

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy Surgery (TPO)

Cervical Disc Disease

Atlanto-axial Subluxation

Limb Amputation

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Hip Dysplasia

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a catch-all term that means there is an abnormal development of the hip joint. It inevitably leads to the development of arthritis. Either the hip dysplasia or the secondary arthritis may cause hip pain.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder. During the first few months of life, as the hips are developing, they become unstable. As a result the ball and socket move apart during weight bearing. This causes abnormal forces on the soft bones which leads to the ball becoming flattened and the socket becoming shallow. The process is self-perpetuating and causes damage to the covering of the bones. Cartilage damage is a key feature of the secondary osteoarthritis.

What are the symptoms of Hip Dysplasia?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

Hind limb lameness
Stiffness after exercise
Difficulty rising
Reluctance to jump or exercise
A rolling hind limb motion in young dogs
Restlessness
Moaning
Licking over the hip

How is Hip Dysplasia diagnosed?

Examination may reveal muscle wastage, especially over the hips. Manipulation of the joints may cause increased pain and instability may be palpable.

X-rays are necessary to diagnose hip dysplasia. They enable the severity of the abnormal joint development and presence of secondary osteoarthritis to be assessed.

How is a Hip Dysplasia treated?

The majority of dogs with hip dysplasia can be managed satisfactorily without the need for surgery. Exercise often needs to be controlled to some degree. Each dog will have its own threshold of duration and type of activity beyond which hip pain may increase. Hydrotherapy is often beneficial. Dogs that are overweight benefit from being placed on a diet.

Some dogs with hip dysplasia fail to respond satisfactorily to conservative treatment and in these cases surgery may be indicated. The two key types of surgery are:

Reconstructive
Salvage

The outlook or prognosis with hip dysplasia and the associated osteoarthritis is generally good.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.

More conditions

Cervical Disc Disease

Arthrodesis

Limb Deformity

Hip Dysplasia

Wobblers Syndrome

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)

The content on this page is for advice and information only and does not represent veterinary guidance or direction. Please always consult a veterinary surgeon if you are worries about your dog.

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL)

What is a Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL)?

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is an important ligament inside the knee (stifle) joints of dogs. In people it is referred to as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – a commonly recognised area injured in sports people. The ligament plays an important role in stabilising the stifle during weight-bearing. It prevents the shin bone moving forwards relative to the thigh bone.

The cruciate ligament tends to undergo degenerative changes that weaken it prior to rupturing. The reason the cruciate ligament degenerates prior to rupturing is not clearly understood. Certain breeds, such as Labradors and Rottweilers, are much more commonly affected than others.

Rupture of the CCL is the most common cause of hind limb lameness in dogs and is associated with the development of Osteoarthritis in the stifle.

What are the symptoms of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL)?

Affected dogs may show signs of:

How is Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL) diagnosed?

Examination may reveal muscle wastage, especially over the front of the thigh. Thickening of the stifle (knee) is often palpable.

Manipulation of the joint may enable the detection of instability. Flexion and extension of the joint may cause pain. In some cases palpation under sedation may be necessary to enable the detection of more subtle instability of the knee as occurs with partial rupture of the CCL.

X-rays provide additional information, especially regarding the presence and severity of osteoarthritis.

How is a Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (CCL) treated?

Some dogs with CCL rupture can be managed satisfactorily without the need for surgery – this is called conservative management. The smaller the dog, the more likely it is that this approach will be successful. Exercise needs to be restricted. Hydrotherapy is often beneficial. Dogs that are overweight benefit from being placed on a diet.

Many medium, large and giant breed dogs with CCL rupture benefit from surgery. The key types of surgery are:

CCL replacement
TPLO
TTA
Meniscal surgery

The outlook or prognosis with CCL rupture is quite variable. Unfortunately all dogs with CCL rupture develop osteoarthritis. This can result in permanent lameness and stiffness in some cases.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation

With a committed and planned rehabilitation programme, pets can recover more quickly, realise better outcomes and avoid much pain and discomfort.

Ready to get some help?

Our friendly and skilled physiotherapists are ready to help you and your dog with their rehabilitation.