What is the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) in Dogs
I’m sure that most people know someone who has torn their ACL while playing sports or in a freak accident. The CCL in dogs is the equivalent to the ACL in humans. A CCL tear can be a complete or partial rupture, both having their pros and cons. This major ligament provides stability to the knee and is one of the most common canine orthopedic issues.
The CCL runs from the femur, across the stifle/knee joint, and attaches onto the tibia. This ligament has three functions at the stifle: prevents forward movement of the tibia on the femur, prevents hyperextension, and prevents inward rotation of the tibia. If any trauma occurs at the stifle, the CCL can become injured. However, the most common cause of a CCL tear in dogs is due to degenerative changes over time.
Signs and Symptoms of a CCL tear
If your dog has torn their CCL, they may exhibit a wide spectrum of symptoms, most commonly:
Lameness/limping
Swelling around their knee
Decreased range of motion
Crepitus- crackling or grinding occurring in the stifle
Reluctance to participate in normal activities
Pain when the knee is touched
Sitting with their injured leg extended
Weight shifted off of the injured leg when standing
How is a CCL tear diagnosed?
A proper diagnosis from your veterinarian should be completed to confirm a CCL tear. The signs and symptoms listed above should not be the sole criteria for diagnosis. Your veterinarian will perform a hands-on assessment, range of motion, radiographs, and special tests such as the Cranial Drawer Test shown on the left. Next, your vet should discuss options for a proper treatment plan.
Management of a CCL tear
First, the goal is to prevent a meniscus tear or progressive osteoarthritis and to help your dog return to their normal activities. In order to do that, it is important to consult both a vet and a certified canine physical therapist. Every dog is different and several factors should be taken into consideration before making a decision on management techniques:
Energy level of the dog
Age
Weight
Partial or complete rupture of the CCL
Compensation- level of involvement of the non-injured leg
If the dog has a meniscus tear
Secondly, if your dog has a CCL tear, the good news is that most cases can be managed with conservative canine rehabilitation. You should be sure that you work with a certified canine rehab professional to ensure the best treatment plan for your pup. However, if your dog is young and active and has sustained a meniscus tear along with the CCL tear, they may require surgery followed by canine rehabilitation to promote a full return to higher-level activities.
Whether surgery is indicated or not, your dog should always receive rehabilitation as part of their treatment by a certified canine physical therapist. They can prescribe the proper exercises, hands-on techniques, and intensity of exercises in order to obtain the optimal level of function for your dog. There is hope for you and your pup to return to the activities you both love with a better quality of life after a CCL tear.
~Canine PT and Me Team
How can physical therapy help dogs with a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear?
If a dog experiences a CCL tear, they will likely experience pain, inflammation, limping, and difficulty moving around. Physical therapy is considered essential in rehabilitation for dogs with a CCL tear. Canine physical therapists use targeted exercises, cold laser therapy, stretches, and other forms of hands-on treatment to assist in recovery. Specifically, physical therapy is designed to reduce pain and inflammation, increase the dog’s mobility, and strengthen muscles around the injury. When a dog injures its CCL, other muscles and ligaments on the injured side experience more stress. Due to the injury, dogs often favor another leg in order to compensate. Physical therapy aims to reduce any further injury or stress on other body parts as a result of your dog’s injury. Ultimately, it’s about getting your dog back to doing what they love using the safest and most effective treatments possible.
What are the benefits of physical therapy for dogs with a CCL tear?
Physical therapy has enormous benefits for dogs with a CCL tear. The treatments provided during canine physical therapy can relieve pain, improve joint function, strengthen muscles, and improve mobility. Nobody likes to think of their furry friend in pain, so the pain relief aspect is an huge benefit. When injured, dogs want to recover more quickly than we want them to. Without therapy, most dogs will return to normal activities too soon and risk re-injury. Expert-guided physical therapy allows your dog to recover faster, but in a safe and controlled environment. We also can’t discount the benefits to a dog’s emotional well-being. Dogs love interacting with their humans and their environment. When they’re injured, they can’t do the things they love such as bouncing around when you arrive home or jumping up next to you on the couch. So, the quicker they can get back to doing what they love, the happier they will be.
What types of physical therapy are recommended for dogs with a CCL tear?
An experienced canine physical therapist may use several different techniques to treat a CCL tear in dogs. However, the treatment may be different depending on whether your dog is managing conservatively or recovering from surgery. Laser therapy can be used to promote tissue healing and pain relief as well as decrease inflammation. Therapists may also use soft tissue mobilization to relieve tension and improve your dog’s blood circulation. However, exercises and stretches are the most vital for strengthening muscles and regaining mobility. Every dog is different, so it’s important to consider a range of therapies tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
How soon after surgery should physical therapy begin for a dog with a CCL tear?
While it may sound fast, surgeons typically recommend starting physical therapy two weeks following surgery. The initial treatment usually involves gentle, controlled movements to improve circulation and getting the joints moving again. Delaying your dog’s physical therapy can lead to joint stiffness, decreased muscle mass, and undue pressure on other limbs and ligaments. Exercises will gradually increase as your dog heals, with a timeline determined by how they respond to treatment. This is why working with an experienced canine physical therapist who understands the healing process following CCL surgery is important. For the best chance of a successful recovery, start physical therapy early and as directed by your surgeon.
Can physical therapy alone heal a CCL tear in dogs without surgery?
CCL tears can vary in intensity, and as such, some are more serious than others. Partial tears for younger, healthy, active dogs can sometimes be treated conservatively by physical therapy. Surgery is not always essential, but it can depend on many factors. When deciding whether to go with surgery or another form of treatment, surgeons typically consider the dog’s age, weight, and activity level. Of course, the severity of the injury plays a major part too. If you act quickly, your dog can respond well to physical therapy. By strengthening muscles around the joint, your dog’s condition can potentially be stabilized to the point that surgery might not be necessary right away. However, with any type of injury there are always risks. Dogs love being active, and it can be hard to limit their movements. Pawrents need to monitor their dogs carefully during recovery. If you let your dog overdo it, the ligament can be strained further, possibly requiring surgical measures. Each case should be treated individually and decisions should be made in conjunction with your veterinary health professional.
Are there any risks associated with physical therapy for dogs with a CCL tear?
Here at Canine PT and Me, we ensure a safe environment for all dogs. This means we tailor treatment programs specifically to your dog’s needs, with adjustments made constantly depending on progress. This ensures that physical therapy is completely safe, as your dog will never be pushed beyond its comfortable limits.
How long does physical therapy take for a dog with a CCL tear?
The course of physical therapy depends on each dog’s response and progress. Various things, such as age, weight, and lifestyle can affect a dog’s recovery from injury. It’s exactly the same for us humans. Every dog responds differently, and it’s important not to cause additional strain to the ligament during therapy. So, if your dog doesn’t bounce back straight away, don’t be alarmed. Maintain communication with your veterinary health professional and canine physical therapist, as they will guide your dog’s recovery in the best and safest way possible.
Can physical therapy prevent future CCL tears in dogs?
There is never a guarantee that anything can prevent a future CCL tear in dogs. However, physical therapy can decrease the risk in several ways. By maintaining good joint health and strengthening the muscles surrounding the joints, your dog can hopefully avoid injuries. There are never any guarantees because as we know, dogs can get into all sorts of mischief. But, by keeping your dog healthy and active, you give them the best chance of maintaining good mobility throughout their life.
