A torn ACL, also called CCL, (Anterior Cruciate Ligament or Cranial Cruciate Ligament) is one of the most common injuries to a dog’s knee. Tears often occur over time or can be sudden after your pet twists its knee wrong when jumping, running, or roughhousing. Symptoms include a sudden lameness in the rear leg with or without pain. After we suspect a torn ACL on a physical exam, we perform a sedated orthopedic exam and radiographs to evaluate the hips and both knees. If surgery is warranted, we discuss the options of seeing an orthopedic specialist, having surgery done at our clinic, or using medicine to help with the limp.
We work with you to give you multiple options depending on your pet’s specific medical needs. This can include extracapsular repair or tibial plataeu leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Procedures may be performed by one of our full-time clinicians, or by Dr. Johna Nieuwoudt, a doctor with extensive experience in orthopedic surgical procedures.