CCL Tear In Dogs - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Treatment
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What is a CCL Tear?
Do you know what an ACL is in humans? It’s a ligament in the human knee that is oftentimes injured in sports such as soccer, basketball, or football, but can also happen with running/pivoting movements. It plays a very big role in stability of the knee in humans. Well, dogs have this ligament too but instead of an ACL, it’s called a CCL (cranial cruciate ligament). The most common cause of hind limb limping and weakness in dogs is actually due to CCL tears. Unlike humans however, trauma is typically NOT the cause of CCL tears in dogs, but rather chronic/degenerative changes. Over time the degenerative changes can cause either a partial or complete tear of the ligament. The good news is that your dog CAN get better if there’s a CCL injury!
If a dog’s CCL is injured, you may notice some of these symptoms:
- Swelling
- Limping
- Reduced movement and/or popping noises in the injured knee
- Hesitancy to exercise or doesn’t want the knee touched
- Weight shifting to the non-injured leg
- Injured hind leg extended out straight when sitting
NOTE: Just because your dog experiences these symptoms, does not mean this is the diagnosis. In order to properly diagnose a CCL tear, a combination of observation, palpation, movement analysis, and radiographs must be done by a vet.
What type of dogs are more prone to getting a CCL tear?
Your dog CAN get moving and get around better even if he/she already has a CCL tear!
Research has shown that 80% of CCL tears are due to degenerative changes that happen gradually over time – typically in dogs who are 5 to 7 years old. It is more common for dogs younger than 4 years old to experience an acute or traumatic tear of the CCL, similar to humans. Large breed dogs are more prone to CCL tears, however CCL injuries can happen in any dog regardless of the size.
Unresolved CCL injuries/tears can lead to osteoarthritis and/or meniscus tears. This can unfortunately lead to increased difficulty doing the things they love to do. But, please know that CCL injuries do not have to hold back your pup from having a great, active life! Treatment options can vary, but canine rehab (a certified canine rehab therapist) is an important component to a dog’s recovery.
If my dog has already been diagnosed with a CCL tear, should I do surgery, canine rehab, or both?
There are many variables that need to be considered before answering that question. Every dog is different. Scheduling a consultation with both a veterinarian and a canine physical therapist, will give you a much better idea of which route would be best. Age, weight, activity level, and degree of the tear are just some of the factors that play a role in determining the best plan of care.
Most cases of CCL injuries can be managed very well (if working with a certified canine rehab therapist). In some cases such as in young dogs, who are very active, who have a full CCL tear with a meniscus tear, surgery is likely the best route. It will be absolutely necessary to follow up with physical therapy after surgery to promote a full return to activity like running, jumping, and hiking.
Rehabilitation should be provided by a certified canine rehabilitation therapist such as Canine PT and Me. A certified canine physical therapist has extensive training in rehabilitation and can prescribe the most appropriate treatment specifically tailored to your dog’s needs.
Canine PT and Me has treated numerous CCL injuries and achieved fantastic results! We believe in including you as the pet parent as much as possible in the treatment sessions so that you are an active participant in your dog’s recovery. We want you to feel confident performing exercises/stretches at home with your pup to aid in their progress. Any injury with our four-legged family members is scary, but we are here to help you and your dog return to the activities you love to do together!
FAQs
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.
What Pawrents Say
“I was referred to Kelsey after my dog’s (Mingus) TPLO surgery. Kelsey was fantastic! Her manner with dogs is outstanding and Mingus always greeted her with a tail wag. He is back to full strength and has had several backpacking trips since his work with her. Thanks Kelsey!”
–Doug H, Mingus’ dad
“When I began looking for physical therapy options there were not many options out there. Then I saw the link for Canine PT and Me, clicked it and started reading. What intrigued me at first was the kind of dogs she treats, specifically dogs who have just come out of surgery. My German Shepard mix, Max had just undergone TPLO surgery and needed some PT. When I sent in the intake form Kelsey responded quickly and whenever there were scheduling conflicts with work or running late she was understanding, and accommodating. During the first sessions Max would often find ways to avoid an exercise. Kelsey addressed these issues resourcefully and creatively, and this would extend into Max’s exercise schedule, until finally he had the strength and guidance that he needed to effectively do his exercises. Max went from having a knuckling back left foot to being able to have fun and joyful walks again. I’m very grateful to have that back. Thank you to Canine PT and Me.”
–Everardo T, Max’s dad
“Our 18 lb pup, Piper, had a complete CCL tear. We chose to give rehab a try prior to surgery and were referred to Dr. Kelsey by our orthopedic vet. Dr. Kelsey is incredibly kind and caring. She is mild mannered, but easily got Piper to follow along with all her exercises. We received a text with a detailed list of the exercises for us to work on between the sessions. Piper has done great and will avoid surgery. I highly recommend Dr. Kelsey!”
–Mandy B, Piper’s mom