Knee Replacements for Dogs
Knee injuries can be common in dogs, especially in ones who are extremely active, overweight or older. Occasionally, younger dogs can suffer a knee injury due to genetic influences or it can occur as a result of trauma such as a car accident. Understanding all aspects of a knee injury can help you and your veterinarian decide if a knee replacement is right for your dog.
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Signs of a Knee Issue
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Common symptoms that are presented when the dog is suffering from a knee injury include limping, lameness of the affected leg and swelling. Additionally you may notice that your dog is whimpering whenever he attempts movement or may even shriek or howl when sharp pains occur. Often these symptoms will occur during or after exercise. Consult a veterinarian to determine the cause of the pain.
Who Qualifies?
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Total knee replacement, deemed "TKR" in the veterinary world, is not usually a first choice for dogs who are suffering from a knee injury. Most veterinarians will attempt to repair the original knee before pursuing additional options such as a total knee replacement. Dogs who qualify for TKR include dogs who have chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which occurs when the ligaments in the knees repeatedly tear, causing issues with the knees. Other qualifying candidates include dogs who have stifle (knee) osteochondrosis, complex issues with patellar luxation (abnormal movement of the knee cap,) and trauma to the knee such a car accident.
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Preparing for Surgery
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Dogs about to undergo a knee replacement will undergo presurgical tests and procedures like x-rays. Your dog may also undergo exploratory surgery in order to get exact measurements and even receive temporary knee replacements to determine exact movements of his knee joints. All of this is done to determine the best fit for your dog. While this can be expensive, TKRs have a success rate of approximately 95 percent, making it well worthwhile for many dogs and their owners.
Surgery
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Due to the vast amount of minor differences in individual dogs, surgical techniques can vary greatly. Most surgeries will require cutting into the femur, followed by exact surgical cuts in order to ensure that the prosthetic knee replacement fits to exact measurements. Partial knee replacements will depend on your dog's individual needs. He may be fitted with a femoral condyle implant (which replaces the end of the femur in the knee,) or a tibial component implant (which replaces the top of the tibia.) Total knee replacement occurs when both the top portion of the tibia and the bottom portion of the femur are replaced.
Aftercare
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Your dog will likely receive antibiotics to prevent infections and pain medications or anti-inflammatories. Follow dosing instructions as given by your veterinarian. Dogs who undergo a knee replacement surgery will also have several months of follow-up physical therapy to ensure that the knee replacement is operating as expected and that the body is not rejecting the replacement. Following a knee replacement, your dog should be restricted from excessive walking, as well as jumping, climbing stairs and exercise
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