Can a Dog Heal on Its Own With a Torn ACL?
The answer to the question of whether or not a dog can heal on its own with a torn ACL is that it depends. Depending on the size, age, and weight of your dog, their health condition, and their activity level, it may or may not be possible for them to recover from an ACL tear without surgery.
ACL Tears in Dogs
If your dog goes lame in one of their hind legs, it’s likely that they have torn the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in their knee, similar to an ACL tear in humans. This ligament connects the back of the femur to the front of the tibia and stabilizes the knee joint.
There are several things that can cause a CCL tear, including overuse, a traumatic injury, and arthritis. Regardless of the cause, it’s important to treat your dog as soon as they start limping so that the damage can be corrected as quickly as possible.
Small dogs can often be healed with a simple and low-impact treatment that consists of a bit of cage rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications. For more serious injuries, a more intensive approach may be needed.
When treating a torn ACL in small dogs, it’s important to make sure that the dog is not putting too much pressure on their knee while they are healing. This can lead to a greater chance of re-injury, so be patient and limit their exercise to help them heal as quickly as possible.
In larger breeds, the incidence of ACL tears increases dramatically. This is because they have to bear more weight than small breeds and their musculoskeletal structure cannot handle the additional load.
Larger breeds are also more likely to develop a recurrent ACL tear over time, which can cause pain, further damage, and an extended recovery period. This is because they are more likely to favor their injured knee and overcompensate for the pain caused by the initial injury.
The majority of dogs that experience a recurrent ACL tear eventually require surgery to fix the problem. There are a variety of surgical techniques to repair a torn ACL, and your veterinarian will recommend the appropriate procedure for your pet’s specific condition.
X-rays can be helpful in diagnosing a torn ACL, but they are rarely needed to make an accurate diagnosis. It’s always better to see your veterinarian in person for a complete examination and assessment of your dog’s knee.
Surgery Options for Dogs
The most common surgery performed in dogs is the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). This procedure cuts and flattens the top section of the shin bone, known as the tibial plateau. Then, a plate and screws are placed in place to stabilize the joint.
Other options for repair of torn ACLs include cruciate reconstruction, patellar tendon repair, and tibial tuberosity advancement. Each of these procedures has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to discuss the best option for your dog with your vet.
