Differences Between Sprains & Knee Injuries in Dogs

If your dog is athletic, he's bound to have the occasional sprain or strain. Some dogs, though -- even nonathletic ones -- will experience even more severe injuries involving the knee, such as a torn cruciate ligament or a dislocated kneecap. In most cases, your dog can return to his normal activities with proper treatment.

  1. Sprains

    • A sprain occurs when a dog suddenly stretches or tears the ligaments around a joint. Sprains usually cause noticeable swelling in the area and some degree of lameness. The area will also be painful, although the amount of pain will depend on the severity of the sprain. Treat sprains by placing ice or a cold pack on the affected area three or four times a day for approximately 15 to 30 minutes each time. After the first 24 hours, replace the cold packs with warm compresses. You should also limit the dog's movement to prevent further injury.

    Strains

    • Not only are ligaments susceptible to stretching, so are the tendons. Dogs experience strains when they stretch or tear tendons or muscles. In most cases the treatment for a strain is the same as for a sprain; however, a torn Achilles tendon, by the dog's hock, will need surgical repair. Strains most commonly occur after abrupt turns or twists such as those in coursing or agility competition.

    Cruciate Ligament Damage

    • While sprains and strains can occur in the front legs as well as the rear, injuries to the cruciate ligaments -- caudal or cranial ligament or both -- will occur only in the stifle joints of the rear legs. When these ligaments are damaged, the two bones of the leg, the fibia and tibia, can rub against each other, causing both pain and lameness. If this lameness is not addressed, especially in large dogs, it will lead to a decreasing range of motion and arthritis. While smaller dogs -- those under 25 pounds -- often will recover on their own, larger dogs usually will need surgical repair.

    Kneecap Problems

    • If your dog keeps one rear leg off the ground when he runs, the problem may be a luxating patella, that is, a kneecap that slides out of place. This problem can be caused by a stretched knee ligament, a too-shallow groove where the kneecap rests, or kneecap ligament placement that is too far to the inside. If the problem happens only occasionally, no treatment is needed; however, the more often the problem occurs, the more likely surgery will be.

      needed to correct the problem.