Good news: ACL's not torn! Bad news: Luxating patella (boo-urns)

[izstigspunks]

We saw a specialist today for Punkin's knees and after looking at the x-rays, he said that he doesn't think his ACL has a tear, which was what his normal vet thought. He determined this after playing with his kneecaps, and there weren't any abnormal movement. But he did say that both his knees were loose, a Grade 2 for his left and Grade 2 or 3 for his right. He recommended surgery for both and said that he can do them at the same time .

From Wikipedia, this is what the surgery will consist of:

The surgery required is governed by the type of abnormality present, but often involves a sulcoplasty, a deepening of the trochlear sulcus that the patella sits in, a re-alignment of the attachment of the patella tendon on the tibia, and tightening/releasing of the capsule either side of the patella, according to which side the patella is slipping

After speaking with the bf, we decided to talk to his normal vet about it first. For us, it sounds too invasive considering
1) both his knees need surgery, even though his left doesn't show any arthritis
2) he still has good mobility. With the exception of favouring his right leg from time to time, he walks, jumps, runs and rough-houses ok.

Plus, I've been seeing great improvement since starting his glucoseamine meds. Before, he'd always side saddle where his legs are always straight. Lately, he's been able to sit with them folded, which is a first since we got him.

The vet said that he could lose a few lbs too, which we knew, and that his ideal weight is approx 45 lbs. I don't know if we're going to aim for that low considering Stig looked like we were starving him when he was 47.5 lbs. We try to keep a trim figure but we don't want them to look like they're malnourished. :D

What would you do, go with surgery or wait it out a bit?

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

Re: Good news: ACL's not torn! Bad news: Luxating pattela (boo-urns)

Why not wait? If it worsens you are prepared..but I'm one who aims for least invasive unless there's pain or it would be dangerous. Give yourself an outside time limit..like 6 months..(just an example) and keep an eye on him.

 

[sheshistory]

Re: Good news: ACL's not torn! Bad news: Luxating pattela (boo-urns)

I have a pretty limited understand of this as I have not been following Punkin's knee problems as closely as I should have but here goes:

If there is arthritis developing in the right knee, I would have that one done and wait on the other one.

I say that because I know one of the reason that we were considered "lucky" to have caught Truman's hip problems when we did, is that arthritis in any joint - knee, hip, etc - is not reversible and any further deterioration of the joint will cause permanent pain. Truman, because he was so young and the joint was so new, had not developed any arthritis and had a nice smooth joint still.

So, if having the right knee done will prohibit the development of any additional arthritis, I would have it done sooner rather than later.

If there is no arthritis developing, he is not in any pain, and nothing can be made worse by not having surgery, then it sounds like waiting on the left knee is best.

Is there a reason not to wait? I would ask this question directly to your vet.

 

[ImAGuinneyPig]

I agree with [MENTION=860]sheshistory[/MENTION] . I would have it done to prevent further pain and deterioration. Also, if you let it go longer and when it eventually gets worse, the surgery may end up being more invasive asnd painful in the end. Just a thought. Definitely have a chat with your regular vet before deciding either way.

Sorry to hear about Mr. Punkin though We love him.

 

[Watson]

I dont know anything about the condition but glad to hear its not an acl tear

 

[bullmama]

Looks like you have some tough parenting decisions to make, I am glad it is not a torn ACL though! I hope your vet gives you the answers you are looking for. You may want to look into stem cell therapy as an alternative?

 

[acarabias]

Katara has a grade 3 luxating patella and the vet told me it's too invasive and they do not recommend it unless the cases are extreme.. She dis tell me to get prepared because she would need it eventually but did not recommend it at this point in time. Her limping has actually improved since her diagnosis which I am surprised to see..

 

[acarabias]

But maybe she did not recommend it yet because she is too young for arthritis..

 

[AdventuresWithOliver]

Maybe do one first? Just keep in mind, many ACL tears are caused by Patella Luxation, especially at a Grade 2 and up. (Oliver just had TTA surgery to repair his ACL and is two and a half weeks into recovery)

 

[Twice]

Abby can't have surgery on her hips or elbows so she sees a chiropractor. Maybe try something like that before invasive surgery?

 

[2BullyMama]

[MENTION=1209]savemejeebus[/MENTION] by any chance, have you spoke with your vet about stem-cell treatments? We did it for Nitschke and it was amazing

 

[kazzy220]

Just got back from the vets with our new foster bully, Bella ... she has had stiff legs when she wakes up or when she is resting and seems to be stiff when she runs. Also on occasion her back legs seem to give way and she staggers as if she is drunk. I was prepared for hip dysplasia, but it turns out that she too has luxating patellas. At the moment, the vet has suggested that she lose weight which is what we were already working on because she's a little bit of a roly-poly pudding .... ..... and that we build up some muscle in the back legs. He also recommended glucosamine .. so was wondering which brand or type you have been using [MENTION=1209]savemejeebus[/MENTION]??

 

[izstigspunks]

Just got back from the vets with our new foster bully, Bella ... she has had stiff legs when she wakes up or when she is resting and seems to be stiff when she runs. Also on occasion her back legs seem to give way and she staggers as if she is drunk. I was prepared for hip dysplasia, but it turns out that she too has luxating patellas. At the moment, the vet has suggested that she lose weight which is what we were already working on because she's a little bit of a roly-poly pudding .... ..... and that we build up some muscle in the back legs. He also recommended glucosamine .. so was wondering which brand or type you have been using @savemejeebus??

The vet prescribes Punkin Glyco-Flex I. He had to take 1 pill daily for the first 6 weeks, then half a pill everyday after. I think you can order them from amazon.

I did some reading, and some owners mentioned that losing weight can make a big difference, sometimes 'cures' it. Hopefully that's how it is with Bella.

Did they check for arthritis? And did he say what grade hers are? If you have a pool, that's a great way to build muscle without much pressure on the knees. I wish we had one ... one day. lol.

 

[cali~jenn]

How I missed this totally is beyond me.... WOW! No words really at this point aside from weight is a biggy. If Dr wants him down that low then maybe strive for it. Cutty is now down to 42 which I think is too little weight wise but I think he must have lost some muscle really. He was 47 at the time before surgery and really looks the same now as he did then. I keep asking the dr about it since I thought he was perfect at 52 and always thought that should be his norm. He looks at him and says he doesnt want to see even 1 pound back on, he is perfect. With his surgery I am going to do whatever the Dr says if it will help thats for sure.

 

[izstigspunks]

Oh and Sherry gives some of her clan human grade glucoseamine too. [MENTION=1714]Sherry[/MENTION]