Limping Hind Leg? Cruciate Ligament Tear in Dogs
Your four-legged friend no longer enjoys long walks as much as before, and you notice that he is limping with one hind leg? This could be a cruciate ligament tear, one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. Our Pets Deli veterinarian Rebecca explains everything you need to know about it.
What exactly is a cruciate ligament?
The cruciate ligaments are part of the knee joint, one of the most important joints for movement in us and our four-legged friends. There is an anterior and a posterior cruciate ligament. Together with other ligaments and tendons, they provide stability in the knee joint. In dogs, the anterior cruciate ligament usually tears either alone or in combination with the posterior one.
A sports injury in dogs too?
You have probably heard of a cruciate ligament tear as a sports injury in humans. In our four-legged companions, it occurs up to 5 times more often, but the causes are usually different.
Science has not yet clarified all the details about the causes of a cruciate ligament tear. However, it is clear that it often involves chronic degenerative changes in the ligaments, and trauma is rarely the underlying cause.
Large dogs generally suffer more from this condition, and →overweight is a risk factor. Certain breeds such as Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlanders, Bernese Mountain Dogs, or Staffordshire Bull Terriers are more frequently affected than others.
A cruciate ligament tear can occur in all dogs regardless of size and weight. Unlike in humans, the knee joint of our four-legged friends is anatomically always bent, which means the cruciate ligaments are constantly under tension, making a complete or partial tear of the ligaments more likely.
What are the signs of a cruciate ligament tear?
If your furry friend has a completely torn cruciate ligament, she will initially likely show quite a strong lameness, meaning she will not want to bear weight on the leg or drag it. Often, the limping disappears for a while and then reoccurs. Even with an incomplete cruciate ligament tear, you typically will not see permanent lameness. Sometimes, the affected four-legged friends limp at the start of movement and then warm up after a few steps. However, once the cruciate ligament is damaged, arthrosis and meniscus injuries will develop in the joint within a few months.
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However, there are many other causes of lameness in the hind legs, such as patellar luxation or problems with the hip joints. Recurring lameness and thus cruciate ligament tears are not considered veterinary emergencies, but you should promptly seek veterinary advice if you notice that your four-legged friend is limping.
How is a cruciate ligament tear diagnosed?
As you have already learned, cruciate ligament tears are among the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. The diagnosis is made through a specialized orthopedic examination. Your veterinarian will use the so-called drawer test or tibial compression test to determine instability in the knee joint and diagnose the cruciate ligament tear. Don't be surprised if all other legs, especially the other hind leg, are examined. This is part of a complete orthopedic examination, and unfortunately, cruciate ligament tears often occur bilaterally. In about half of the affected furry friends, the cruciate ligament on the other leg tears within a year.
With an X-ray, the extent of arthrosis and the angle of the knee joint can be determined, which is also important for the correct choice of therapy. In some cases, further imaging diagnostics in the form of a CT may be useful.
Does my four-legged friend need surgery?
In many cases, surgery is unavoidable for a cruciate ligament tear. Of course, surgery always carries a certain risk, and no surgical method works 100%. Without surgery, arthrosis and meniscus injuries will progress, and your furry friend's limping will worsen. You should trust veterinary advice here.
Is there a specific surgical method for this condition? Not really for cruciate ligament tears. Over time, many different surgical techniques have been developed, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
There are surgical techniques where the torn ligament is artificially replaced and those where the angle of the knee joint is changed with an implant, thereby regaining stability.
The advantages of an artificial ligament are the relatively low surgical costs and the simple surgical method. However, this technique is only suitable for small dogs, and the artificial ligament is never as good as the natural one and can tear again, leaving you with the same problem.
According to current knowledge, methods that change the angle of the knee joint and insert an implant are the better options. These techniques are known as *TPLO (Tibia Plateau Leveling Osteotomy), TTO (Triple Tibial Osteotomy), or TTA* (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement). All these surgeries are similar yet a bit different, and which method is used depends on the preference and experience of the surgeon.
When it comes to a cruciate ligament tear, it is best to place your four-legged friend in the hands of orthopedic experts and trust the veterinary opinion on which surgical method is best suited for your furry friend.
Will my four-legged friend be able to romp again?
After surgery, your friend will need to rest and recover a lot. The stitches and the operated knee need to heal, which takes varying amounts of time depending on the surgical method, usually several weeks to months. The good thing is: You have plenty of time for long cuddles.
Staying still can become quite boring over time, but it is very important for the long-term success of the surgery. If your furry friend starts playing and romping too early, for example, the stitches may tear or the implant may loosen. So hang in there and follow the veterinary instructions. Consult your veterinarian to see if you can support your friend with physiotherapy during the healing phase.
Each of the surgical methods has advantages and disadvantages, and no surgery offers a 100% success guarantee. However, the chances that your furry friend can romp just like before after surgery are very good.
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