CCL Tear In Dogs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.