ACL, or specifically CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) in dogs, connects the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone) in the knee joint and is vital in your dog's movement. Just like humans, an ACL tear impairs a dog's ability to walk, run, and enjoy the active and playful lifestyle it's meant to have.
Unlike the ACL in people, in dogs, the cruciate ligament is load-bearing because a dog's leg remains bent while they are standing. If your dog's cruciate becomes injured or torn, your dog's knee will become unstable, reducing your pup's ability to run and walk normally and causing pain.
It is entirely possible for a dog to recover from an ACL tear without surgery. Many dogs heal through surgery alternatives like orthopedic braces and supplements. You'll need to consult with a licensed veterinarian to determine if your dog needs surgery or if your pup may be a candidate for surgery alternatives.
If left untreated, a partially torn or ruptured cruciate ligament can improve within three to six weeks for most dogs, especially small ones.
While surgery is most often viewed as the best treatment of cranial cruciate ligament tears, there are non-surgical treatment options. These include activity restriction, anti-inflammatories, rehab, and custom knee braces.
Hydrotherapy provides excellent benefits for dogs recovering from ligament injuries. Dogs receive exercise without pressuring their joints. It's also a safe way for a dog to let off some of his pent-up energy without putting any weight on his legs.
A fully torn ligament, or grade 3 tear, can cause chronic pain and joint instability. Complete tears rarely heal naturally. Since there's a disconnect between the tissue and any chance of blood supply, surgery is needed.
You'll likely see some level of lameness in your dog, as they won't be able to put too much weight on the injured leg. A dog with an ACL tear will avoid jumping into your car or have difficulty rising from the ground.
In many cases, injuries to tendon and ligaments such as common sprains and strains heal without surgical intervention. However, the process is often slow and results in the formation of inferior scar tissue, which can take years to remodel into more functional tissue.
A cruciate ligament rupture is usually extremely painful and the knee joint becomes unstable, resulting in lameness. A more chronic form of cruciate damage occurs due to progressive weakening of the ligaments as a result of repeated trauma or arthritic disease.
Signs of a Torn ACL in Dogs
Joint stiffness that is most noticeable when resting after physical activity. Difficulty jumping or rising from the floor. Sitting with one hind leg stuck out to the side. Clicking sound when your dog walks.
Contact your vet as soon as you can if you discover something painful. If you think your dog is limping because of inflammation, alternate between ice and heat packs to lower the level of swelling and discomfort. Call your veterinarian to ask them when you should be applying the packs.
Many physical therapists and doctors recommend walking as an exercise to help relieve pain and stiffness after an MCL sprain, mainly if it is a grade II sprain. The MCL helps support the knee, and it is important to walk as soon as possible after the injury. Walking is beneficial in the healing process of MCL sprains.
Some torn ligaments heal on their own over time, especially if the injury was only a partial tear. However, it is always best to consult with an orthopedic doctor to make sure the affected area heals correctly, and that the injury is not getting worse.
Perform a physical exam of the injured area, asking you to squat, hop, step, flex, or bend, testing your ability to move or bear weight on a joint. Order imaging tests, such as an MRI, ultrasound or x-ray to confirm the diagnosis of a torn ligament or fracture.
Exercise training improves the repair strength of ligaments but does not result in normal values twelve weeks after the surgery.
In general, gradual onset limps in dogs are caused by an underlying, chronic or degenerative condition, such as osteoarthritis or dysplasia. Sudden onset limps, on the other hand, are usually caused by an injury or trauma. Just because your dog has a gradual limp does not mean you should put off making an appointment.
Limping or lameness in dogs can range in concern from a minor bruise or object stuck in paw to a serious injury or condition. If your dog limps on and off, it may be due to joint pain common in older dogs, or it could be your dog's ability to mask pain.
If your pet is limping but not showing any signs of pain, it is still worth contacting your vet for advice. Because dogs can't speak, it can sometimes be difficult to spot when they're in pain, whether it be as a result of injury or an underlying issue.
For the first six weeks you must restrict your dog's activity to short leash walks. Running jumping or climbing stairs cannot be allowed.
A ligament injury can take anywhere from two weeks to a year to heal depending on the severity of the injury and other factors. If the ligament is only mildly sprained, it may heal in just two to four weeks. Moderate ligament sprains can take over 10 weeks to heal.
Rest. The generally accepted wisdom on how to initially treat a ligament injury can be summed up in one acronym: RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Eggs, meat, fish, seafood, nuts, seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, linseed, hemp, sesame including tahini), dairy produce, mushrooms combined with green leafy vegetables.