Comments for Dog Knee Ligament (CCL) Repair

Comment on Knee Ligament and Knee Joint Repair Options for Labrador Retrievers by Kenneth Camden

Kenneth Camden — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:03:21 +0000

Hi Connie,

We have a friend who has a 3 year old yellow lab and they opted not to have the ligament repaired. The dog can no longer run and play, and in my opinion, has a very poor quality of life. It’s really sad to see a dog that used to be healthy and active turn into a “couch potato”.

If you elect not to have the surgery, you should REALLY make sure you watch the dogs weight. The less weight they have on the joint the better.

Comment on Knee Ligament and Knee Joint Repair Options for Labrador Retrievers by Kenneth Camden

Kenneth Camden — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:01:15 +0000

Hi Tom,

I’m no expert, but as far as I know, these are the most common procedures to repair torn ligaments in dog stifle joints. I’d recommend talking to your vet, and maybe even get a second opinion, but I’m assuming one of the surgeries you find on this site will be your only option. And since your dog is only 10 months old, the hardest part of the whole process will be keeping the dog confined for long periods of time.

Best of luck, and I wish you and your dog a happy, healthy recovery.

Comment on Knee Ligament and Knee Joint Repair Options for Labrador Retrievers by tom russell

tom russell — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:10:02 +0000

i have a 10 month old lab puppy with a torn ACL in her right rear leg…she is 63 lbs and growing..will these surgeries work on a lab pup 10 months old????

Comment on Hidden Costs and Unexpected Costs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair in Dogs by dr. hirsch

dr. hirsch — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:48:13 +0000

actually, we (the veterinarian) are not looking for ligaments on a x-ray (actually called radiographs). we are looking for movement of the fat pad within the joint capsule and signs of secondary degenerative disease within the joint. All suspious signs of a cruciate ligament tear. And yes, most times, if the client has waited long enough to bring in their pets, you can see calcification of the torn ligament on a radiograph. It is important to note that obesity is one of the most important contributing factors to torn ligaments and that the surgery only stabilizes the joint and unfortunately arthritis is fairly inevitable. so we can slow down the progression with weight loss and joint lubricants. I hope this has helped!!!
dr. hirsch-

Comment on Knee Ligament and Knee Joint Repair Options for Labrador Retrievers by Connie

Connie — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:49:13 +0000

So, our black lab just starting limping one day, our primary care vet is sending us on to a surgeon. What happens if you don’t repair the anterior cranial cruciate ligament?

Comment on TPLO - Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair by Knee Ligament and Knee Joint Repair Options for Labrador Retrievers | Dog Knee Ligament (CCL) Repair

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:02:38 +0000

[...] a chocolate lab, you will typically be looking at 1 of 2 knee repair procedures for larger dogs - TPLO or TTA surgery to repair the torn or ruptured cranial cruciate ligament in your dogs knee. The [...]

Comment on Hidden Costs and Unexpected Costs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair in Dogs by Kenneth Camden

Kenneth Camden — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:13:23 +0000

The X-Rays are a must because they need to check for broken bones or more serious damage. It’s true that ligaments don’t show up on X-rays, but the veterinarian will most likely do a “drawer test” while your dog is sedated for x-rays in order to test the stability of the knee/stifle joint.

Best of luck.

Comment on TPLO - Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair by Kenneth Camden

Kenneth Camden — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:11:15 +0000

Hi Jennifer -

That sounds terrible, have you taken your dog back to the vet? I’d definitely go and get a professional opinion before doing anything else.

I would be inclined to think that it didn’t rupture again, however, your veterinarian would know with far greater certainty than I ever could.

Best of luck to your family and your dog with the recovery.

Comment on Hidden Costs and Unexpected Costs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair in Dogs by LainePreston

LainePreston — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:26:46 +0000

My 2 year old English Bull terrier is a lover not a fighter and 30 seconds after entering the dog park in Coogee Australia yesterday a german shepard named Max ran up and attacked him. Not once but twice in the space of 5 minutes. My daughter and I immediately left the dog park after the attacks and noticed he had difficulty getting into the car. It wasn’t until this morning when he failed to get up for breakfast we realised something was seriously wrong. The vet now informs us he has a torn crutiate ligament in his leg and has kept him in overnight and proposes to do X-rays tomorrow morning and then surgery to repair. I am concerned now that I have read the post re crutiate ligaments not showing up on X-rays and wonder what to do next. Any suggestions readers?

Comment on Hidden Costs and Unexpected Costs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair in Dogs by jennifer

jennifer — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:00:40 +0000

I was originally told the surgery would cost $1800 to $2000 (she told me $2000 would be the most expensive) as to not surprise me. When i went in to pick up my pet the bill was over 2800. I was shocked, they didn’t even phone me or let me know before i was to pick him up. Then after the surgery he needed K laser to help speed healing, for approx 4 min of laser it cost $78.75, per session. He apparently had 3 already which was included in the 2800, but he needed another 3. All i could think was i love my pet but this is ridiculous. Then after about 10 days he started limping again and not using his leg, i have read about setbacks and am hoping this is what is wrong because we cannot afford another surgery. This is stressful i would imagine on the animal but it is very stressful on the individual.