she could learn
I'm planning to take her to a pet physical therapist not too far from me for an eval, but i'd like to have lots of info going in
she could learn
I'm planning to take her to a pet physical therapist not too far from me for an eval, but i'd like to have lots of info going in
IMO, you'd have to go with the surgeon's advice on the degree/type of injury and the surgery vs PT thing. GF had a dog with knee issues (torn ligaments) and had surgery and was all bandaged up for a while. She's doing OK now. She lost some weight too.
that's the injury. The fact of surgery on an elder dog and the post-surgical care are my concerns.
Well, the tear might not heal on it's own...depending on the nature of the tear (how it tore?). So just immobilizing her may not do it. And PT...might even worsen it.
The surgeon would know all that. I wouldn't.
Interesting info:
ACL Injury: Does It Require Surgery?-OrthoInfo - AAOS
The surgeon would know all that. I wouldn't.
Interesting info:
ACL Injury: Does It Require Surgery?-OrthoInfo - AAOS
exactly. And i don't know the extent of the injury.
thanks Atty.
We're off for our (slow, gentle) walk. later y'all
thanks Atty.
We're off for our (slow, gentle) walk. later y'all
thanks for the reference!
I want a consult from PT as well as the surgeon. Surgeons ALWAYS want to cut.
Thanks OBG
If I remember properly, post-surgical care wasn't all that bad except getting the GF's dog to chill and not re-hurt the knee after surgery. She was all bandaged up to immobilize the knee. Once they start feeling better, they start getting overly zealous and can hurt it again.
...... was the main concern, along with stairs, but she figured it all out. It's hard with pets because you can't explain it all to them...
...... was the main concern, along with stairs, but she figured it all out. It's hard with pets because you can't explain it all to them...
My 12 year old had an acl tear last year, CES. I chose the brace route and it worked out perfectly. The only therapy she needed was to walk on a slight upward grade, AFTER a month or 2 in the brace. Doctor recommended surgery, but I researched and decided against it and I am SO glad I did. She did wonderfully and recovered pretty quickly. I did lose her to a brain tumor last December, but she ROCKED that brace.
PT people always want to PT.
Buuuut. If PT doesn't help, surgery could be option #2. I guess it depends on
1) if you think PT can make it worse and
2) if you want to risk paying for PT and THEN surgery if PT doesn't work.
Which is anti-PT (is immobilization).
IDK how we can make those decisions without information as to the type of tear. Sounds like CES's red isn't too bad as she's "cleared to walk" so maybe it's not a complete tear. MAYBE it will heal itself in 3 months if she immobilizes it.
exactly. And i don't know the extent of the injury.
thanks Atty.
We're off for our (slow, gentle) walk. later y'all
This was the brace I used:
A-TraC Dynamic Brace Brochure - Woundwear
There are many to choose from, but my vet recommended this one AFTER I told her I decided against surgery. One of the staff had a large dog with a complete tear, and she decided against surgery, too, after all she had seen at the hospital. Her dog did fine and now races around like he never had a tear. She was VERY happy she chose the non surgical route..And my vet was MORE than pleased with Puggers' recovery.
You can never HEAL a torn ACL. The plan is get scar tissue to grow over the area to stabilize it and that can be done non surgically. I DID keep Puggers from jumping, put couch cushions on the floor, lowered the bed, etc. Was a bit messy in the house for awhile, but SO worth it.
success rates are about the same with braces and surgery. why not try the easier route first?
~~~~~ @ ces and atty! and i'm off to rehab!
~~~~~ @ ces and atty! and i'm off to rehab!
Surely you remember ALL the research I did last year, Atty. It really doesn't matter the degree of the tear. Bracing it works, as it allows the scar tissue to form. A lot of times, surgery does not work, or worse, makes the area weaker, causing more problems, including a guaranteed arthritis. I know your GF had some kind of surgery done and it went well, but, I would ALWAYS choose the non surgical approach first. I really was beyond pleased with Puggers recovery and she was never in much pain once the brace was on.
Like I said...the two reasons. Also maybe a 3rd in that if immobilization doesn't work, it could be harder to get it to heal after 3 months have elapsed and surgery is needed.
ALSO, the article said it's common to have additional injury beyond just that one ligament in which case surgery can "clean up" other stuff inside. It all depends.
Here's my baby stylin' in her brace.
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That article refers to people's ACL. Dogs are different. My vet was worried that the meniscus could be torn, also. Her joint was moving in ways it wasn't supposed to. The brace took care of everything. And, tbh, I have yet to see or hear of a dog who DIDN'T heal after using a brace. It's all about giving the time for scar tissue to grow. Conservative measures are becoming more and more the way to go. Surgeons aren't crazy about it, but even my surgical vet was quite impressed with how well Puggers did and in a short time...
