Surgery for a torn ACL?

[terrier_momma]

I have a 3 year Australian Terrier who has had a luxating patella for some time. We noticed that he started limping more and more and worse and worse and were thinking that the luxating patella had advanced in it's stages. We took him to the vet, and finally (after several previous visits with a different vet saying he was "fine"), we discovered that he has torn his Anterior Crucitate Ligament on his left hind leg. The vet gave us basically two options. Try a fairly routine surgery to repair it, which should hopefully cure it, or to not do anything, and the pain and limping should remain, but not worsen. Well, obviously, to me if it can be fixed, that sounds like a better option to me.

But just for curiosity's sake, has anyone had this surgery done? What are results like, or effects?

Also, just so everybody knows, he is currently on steroids to help inflammation and pain go down.

[Becky]

I had that sx done to my cocker she tore hers by getting bulldozed by a lab.. The sx went great suppose to leash walk for weeks afterward no horseplay steps etc..She was trying to run up the stairs the next day and was toe touching by the 3rd day. The vet said she was recovering quickly. They say they can get arthritis when they get older from it.. I can't tell you how the long term effects went cause she got out of her pen and hit by a car a month after the sx. I hope this helped you

[terrier_momma]

Thanks, this does help me. So it sounds like the surgery and immediate effects afterwards went well? He's not a super high energy dog to begin with, so I think he should recover okay.

Thanks for the info, and I'm very sorry about your dog by the way.

[arfvol]

The aftercare is a bit intense but with a somewhat calm dog can be done. I work with orthopedic surgeons and one specialzed in the TPLO, the most advanced surgery for torn ACLs. We've never had a problem, luckily. Unless it's an extremely minor tear, I wouldn't recommend ignoring it though. I have seen many people forgo the surgery and wind up with a painful dog. Also, the other leg gets so much pressure put on it that it can easily tear the ACL as well. It's a costly surgery, but well worth it in my opinion. Good luck.

[terrier_momma]

Thank you for your help. I appreciate it!