ACL Surgery in McKinney, TX

ACL injuries in dogs typically do not heal on their own and should be treated as soon as possible. Even minor tears will continue to deteriorate from the stress of walking and playing on the leg every day. Take care of your furry friend by deciding with your vet which ACL treatment option for dogs is best for restoring their mobility and quality of life:

ECR (extracapsular repair) surgery is a common procedure performed on dogs with a torn CCL. A CCL injury in dogs is a tear or rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (one of the main ligaments that stabilize the knee joint). The CCL is similar to the ACL in humans. The goal of surgery is to minimize bone and joint trauma, and the procedure is known to have a low complication rate. During ECR surgery, the damaged cruciate ligament is removed, and the joint is stabilized using a synthetic ligament placed outside the joint capsule. This ligament helps provide support to the joint while your dog's body heals and the surrounding tissue grows stronger. This procedure is less invasive than other surgical repair options for CCL tears.

In certain cases, a 3M Soft Case will be placed on the knee after surgery to reduce inflammation, support the affected leg, and assist with physical therapy and rehabilitation. The cast typically stays on for 4-12 weeks, depending on the success of the recovery process. Keep in mind, every pet heals differently. When the cast is removed, the sutures below the cast will be removed as well.

TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery is another procedure that is performed to treat CCL injuries, most typically on young, active, large-breed dogs. During TPLO surgery, the surgeon cuts the top of the tibia bone and rotates it to a more level position. This is accomplished by creating a circular cut in the tibial plateau, rotating it to the desired angle, then stabilizing it with a plate and screws. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 1-2 hours to complete. Every pet’s recovery is unique, but typically, dogs who undergo TPLO surgery can bear weight on their injured leg faster than those who go through ECR surgery.

The Tightrope procedure is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to repair ACL/CCL tears in dogs. In this procedure, the veterinarian drills small tunnels through the bone on either side of the knee joint and threads a strong suture material through these tunnels. This creates an artificial ligament that stabilizes the joint and allows the dog to regain function without the original damaged ligament. The Tightrope is considered a less invasive alternative to traditional ACL repair surgeries like TPLO. Recovery time is typically around 8-12 weeks, and the Tightrope is becoming an increasingly common option, especially for smaller breed dogs with ACL injuries.