Ligament Injuries in Dogs

Ligament injuries in dogs are common but potentially debilitating. Canine athletes are at a particularly high risk for these injuries, but even a placid housepet can suffer a ligament injury at any time. Depending upon the location and severity of the injury, treatment may be as simple as rest or as complex as major surgery.

  1. Causes

    • A ligament injury can happen at almost any time. Ligaments are bands of tough and slightly stretchy tissue that connect bones and stabilize joints. When these bands of tissue are damaged in any way, the dog will experience pain and lameness. The rest of the joint may also be damaged by friction due to the injured ligament being unable to support and stabilize the joint.

      Ligament injuries may happen while participating in an athletic activity like agility or flyball. They can also occur while wrestling with another dog. Some dogs suffer a ligament injury for seemingly no reason at all.

    Types

    • A ligament injury can affect almost any joint. However, the ligaments most commonly injured are those stabilizing the joints in a dog's legs. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly damaged. A severed ACL is often very debilitating, particularly for large dogs. The ligaments in the paws are also frequently injured. This type of ligament injury is painful but less disabling than a ruptured ACL.

    Symptoms

    • Ligament injuries tend to present with pain and lameness. These symptoms are similar to many other injuries. For example, a dog that has a broken toe is likely to behave in the same way as a dog with a ruptured ligament in its paw. For this reason, any dog with pain and lameness should see a vet immediately. Owners should not attempt to choose a treatment plan without a definitive diagnosis.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosing a ligament injury is difficult because ligaments don't show up on X-rays. An MRI can detect ligament injuries, but is often prohibitively expensive, especially for an owner who may soon need to pay for an expensive operation to treat a ruptured ligament.

      The best way to detect ligament injuries without an MRI is to simply manipulate the injured leg to check for "drawer movement." This type of movement occurs when the ligament is damaged, allowing the lower leg bone to be moved across the upper leg bone at the joint. This movement is similar to pulling a dresser drawer in and out.

    Surgery

    • Surgery is one option for dogs with ligament injuries. The most common surgery involves a surgically installed orthopedic restraint that allows the joint to function nearly normally, while preventing it from moving in abnormal ways. Following the surgery, scar tissue will build around the joint and further stabilize it.

      There are two other types of surgery, TPLO and TTA, which alter the alignment of the dog's bones. These were at one time the best surgical option for large dogs. However, advancement in materials and procedures for the more common surgery described above has made TPLO and TTA largely obsolete even for large dogs.

    Non-Surgical Treatment

    • Some dogs recover from ligament injuries without surgery. Non-surgical treatment requires an extended period of rest and restricted activity. Exactly how long the dog must rest will depend upon the severity of its injury. Ask your veterinarian for instructions on conservative management as a non-surgical treatment for a ligament injury. Physical therapy and aquatherapy may be necessary or beneficial as part of the management plan for a severe injury. Never allow your dog to exercise more than the veterinarian recommends. Even a few minutes of rambunctious play could set th dog's recovery back by weeks.