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why do so many dogs tear both ACL?
how do I prevent my dog’s ACL from tearing?
Why is it that an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury in dogs is the most common orthopedic injury of all veterinary medicine? Did nature not make this ligament strong enough in dogs?
ACL arises from the posterior medial side of the lateral condyle of the femur, moves forward, inward and downward, and terminates in front of the tibial intercondylar trochanter and the anterior corner of the lateral meniscus. When it is normal, the front and rear of the waite knee joint is stable, and it is involved in limiting knee hyperextension, coordinating joint rotation and limiting pronation. Due to hyperextension or abduction of the knee, excessive flexion, adduction and rotation can cause injury and tear.
Secondary signs of ACL tear are knee instability, including anterior tibia and arched anterior posterior cruciate ligament. Some scholars believe that about 70% of ACL tears are associated with intra-articular injuries, the most common being medial meniscus tears. It has been suggested that a hidden fracture of the posterolateral tibial plateau with or without fracture is characteristic of an acute ACL tear. Bad breeding, natural load, excess weight, lack of exercise and lack of recognizing early warning signs are 5 most common predisposing factors to ACL injuries in dogs. So let's expand it out.
ACL arises from the posterior medial side of the lateral condyle of the femur, moves forward, inward and downward, and terminates in front of the tibial intercondylar trochanter and the anterior corner of the lateral meniscus. When it is normal, the front and rear of the waite knee joint is stable, and it is involved in limiting knee hyperextension, coordinating joint rotation and limiting pronation. Due to hyperextension or abduction of the knee, excessive flexion, adduction and rotation can cause injury and tear.
Secondary signs of ACL tear are knee instability, including anterior tibia and arched anterior posterior cruciate ligament. Some scholars believe that about 70% of ACL tears are associated with intra-articular injuries, the most common being medial meniscus tears. It has been suggested that a hidden fracture of the posterolateral tibial plateau with or without fracture is characteristic of an acute ACL tear. Bad breeding, natural load, excess weight, lack of exercise and lack of recognizing early warning signs are 5 most common predisposing factors to ACL injuries in dogs. So let's expand it out.
Bad Breeding
The two most common causes of hip dysplasia are dogs that are poorly bred and overnourished respectively. The cause of acl injury is overcompensation. A direct link between hip dysplasia and anterior cruciate ligament injury has been established.
Natural Load
Dogs walk with their knees bent all the time, which means the ACL is always "loaded," or carrying weight.
Excess Weight
Fifty percent of dogs are now diagnosed as overweight because they are obese. Obesity puts more and more strain on the ligaments.
Lack of Exercise
Lack of exercise means the muscles and soft tissue ligaments weaken, making the dog more vulnerable to injury.
Lack of Recognizing Early Warning Signs
After tearing or pulling the cruciate ligament, joint mobility is reduced, bending or stretching is limited, and local stiffness and traction are felt. Many times, however, a lack of understanding of the subtle signs of arthritis makes it difficult for careless owners to spot potential joint health problems in their dogs.
How do I prevent my dog’s ACL from tearing?
How do I prevent my dog’s ACL from tearing?
Many dog owners suddenly notice that their dog is limping on its hind legs and hopping around, and there is a good chance that the dog is suffering from anterior cruciate ligament disease. The ANTERIOR cruciate ligament (ACL) carries a tremendous amount of force during dog activity. With the increase of animal age and accumulation of exercise, the anterior cruciate ligament will be partially damaged and its strength will decrease due to long-term stress, resulting in partial or total fracture. Damage or even rupture of the ANTERIOR cruciate ligament can lead to loss of stability of the knee joint and the development of arthritis. Dogs may show pain, lameness, weakness, and muscle atrophy in the affected limb. So how can this be prevented?
Here are some good ways to prevent dog's ACL that you can take note of in daily life.
Keep Your Dog at a Healthy Weight
Obesity is one of the largest and most preventable causes of ACL injury in dogs. The easiest way to maintain a healthy weight is to make sure you don't overfeed your dog. Feeding your dog too many snacks or eating high-calorie food is an unhealthy diet, which can lead to overnutrition or a severe lack of certain nutrients. This will also make the dog's body hormone secretion imbalance, thereby inducing the dog to become obese, produce a series of obesity sequelae.
Give a Quality Joint Supplement
Many people are familiar with glucosamine, and to a lesser degree chondroitin, as key ingredients in a good joint supplement. But what many people don’t realize is that it’s just as important to find one that includes natural ingredients with proven anti-inflammatory benefits such as MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) or vitamin C, to name a few of the more common ones. Give your dog a supplement at your veterinarian's recommendation to prevent ACL tear.
Provide Physical Therapy And Proper Conditioning After Surgery
If your dog is diagnosed with an ACL problem, the veterinarian will usually tell you that surgery is the best treatment. But the goal is not to repair damaged cruciate ligaments, but to create a stable knee that doesn't need the ACL by changing the mechanics of the knee. When dogs are unable to use their leg after surgery, they quickly begin to lose muscle mass and range of motion in that leg. The sooner the knee is stabilized, the less muscle atrophy that occurs, and the faster the recovery post-op.The above three points can be followed to effectively prevent ACL. In addition, if your dog already has an ACL and needs surgery, follow these timelines and precautions to help your dog recover more smoothly.
The first 12 weeks
8-10 days
2-4 months
Insist for a long time
The first 12 weeks following surgery are a critical time of recovery and rehabilitation. Exercise should be severely restricted and analgesics administered for about 8 to 10 days after surgery. Stitches should be removed about 8-10 days, during which time the wound should be kept dry, the wound should be observed every day, and medication should be given if necessary. After taking out the stitches, we should remember to review regularly and take a film until the bone heals. The need for anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs may be determined by the veterinarian at 2-4 months. In the early stage, ice compress can be applied. A heating brace is recommended after wound scab formation to speed up healing. 1. Animals can be given joint health products on a long-term basis, usually containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. 2.Doing good home care, such as using braces to help with recovery. Controlled exercise and encouraging the dog to begin using the leg are keys to a successful recovery.The above three points can be followed to effectively prevent ACL. In addition, if your dog already has an ACL and needs surgery, follow these timelines and precautions to help your dog recover more smoothly.
The first 12 weeks
The first 12 weeks following surgery are a critical time of recovery and rehabilitation. Exercise should be severely restricted and analgesics administered for about 8 to 10 days after surgery.8-10 days
Stitches should be removed about 8-10 days, during which time the wound should be kept dry, the wound should be observed every day, and medication should be given if necessary.After taking out the stitches, we should remember to review regularly and take a film until the bone heals.
2-4 months
The need for anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs may be determined by the veterinarian at 2-4 months. In the early stage, ice compress can be applied. A heating brace is recommended after wound scab formation to speed up healing.Insist for a long time
1. Animals can be given joint health products on a long-term basis, usually containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. 2.Doing good home care, such as using braces to help with recovery. Controlled exercise and encouraging the dog to begin using the leg are keys to a successful recovery.
Cold compresses
ROM
Massage and heat therapy
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