Cruciate leg injury is one of the dog's most common knee injuries. The dog's femur (the bone from the hip to the knee), the tibia (the bone from the knee to the ankle) and the patella, which is the kneecap held together by two cruciate ligaments, help keep the ends of the tibia and femur from rubbing each other.
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Ruptured Cruciate
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A tear or rupture of the anterior (front) cruciate ligament (ACL) makes the knee joint weak. It also allows the femur and tibia to rub against each other. This injury usually occurs when the dog makes a sudden turn, twisting his hind leg. It can result from slipping on ice or water, getting hit by a car or making a quick turn while running.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
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Symptoms of a ruptured cruciate can include sudden lameness and swelling. Your dog may hold the injured leg up or put very little weight on it. If not treated, a ruptured cruciate can lead to joint cartilage degeneration, arthritis and, in some cases, permanent lameness. Your veterinarian can diagnose a ruptured cruciate by physical examination, including manipulation of the joint or by taking X-rays of the knee.
Surgical Treatment
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In cases where the cruciate is completely torn, surgery may be necessary. This is particularly true with large dogs. The ligament is repaired or reconstructed, depending on the severity of the damage. Following surgery, your dog must be completely confined for a two week period. When your dog begins to touch his foot to the floor, you may begin leash walking in order to limit his activity. It will take a minimum of four to six additional weeks of this recovery period. This is important to prevent re-injury of the surgical repair.
Other Treatment
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If the cruciate is not completely torn, and, in cases where your dog is older or has conditions that might inhibit her healing from the surgery, other treatment may be used. Restricting her activity for two to three months is usually recommended, along with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as etodolac, meloxicam or buffered aspirin. These medications help with pain and inflammation. Supplements that include glucosamine and condroitin, such as Cosequin, may be recommended as well. If your dog is obese, she should be placed on a diet to reduce her weight.
Risk Factors
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Obesity increases the risk of rupturing a cruciate. In addition, certain breeds are prone to such injuries. They include Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Bichon Frise and St. Bernard. Small dogs that already have a condition called luxating patella (a displacement of the knee joint), may also be at higher risk of this type of injury.
Considerations
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Chronic cruciate ligament injury can occur gradually over time, as a result of constant stress on the ligament, particularly in overweight dogs. It can also be the result of an auto-immune disorder, although this is rare. A dog that suffers a torn cruciate in one knee may also eventually tear the ligament in the other knee as well.
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