At Buchanan Veterinary Group we are able to perform a range of orthopaedic procedures. We can perform surgery including fracture repair, patellar luxation surgery and repair of ruptured cruciate ligaments.
The cranial cruciate ligament in dogs is the same as the “anterior” cruciate ligament in humans. The cruciate ligament is a band of fibrous tissue which attaches the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). This tough fibrous band prevents the tibia from moving forward relative to the femur and prevent rotating of the knee joint. If the cruciate ligament is damaged the joint becomes unstable and creates pain and lameness.
At Buchanan Veterinary Group our surgeons stabilise the joint using a ‘lateral suture’ method of repair. This is the placement of an artificial ligament using a loop of surgical line tied around the back of the stifle, through a hole drilled in the tibia. This loop is then pulled tight stabilising the joint.
After surgery patients require a minimum of eight weeks rehabilitation. The convalescent period involves limiting exercise and physiotherapy.
