My girl has a possible bicep tear!

[Madzy420]

My 2.5yr old girl is getting an MRI next week to see if she has a possible bicep tear. If so, she'll need surgery. Anyone had surgery on front shoulders? How did you keep them from going insane and re-injuring themselves afterwards? This dog is high octane and already depressed because we have to keep her inside with no running, etc.
We have a small, fenced in area and also have a big kennel. Hubby built her a long ramp so no jumping off the steps. Not sure what else to do. We are trying to prepare ahead of time.
Thank you for suggestions.

 

[Ravenbird]

So sorry to hear that. I don't have much for answers, but I know how it is with the high octane. Hopefully they will find that surgery isn't needed, but still the slowing down is going to be a burden. I find nose work can be brain tiring for my dog. She's high drive when doing it but indoors can't get too fast and can be on leash, especially if you haven't done it before and start introducing it. Her evenings are distinctly more restful after the brain games. Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[JanS]

So sorry to hear that.
I agree that brain games can be really tiring for them and you should keep her on leash for all outside activity. You can always work a little obedience into the leash time to try to satisfy her more.

 

[Two Dobes]

Sorry....this will be a challenging time! Agree that keeping her mind busy will help...even just simple stuff in the house like STAY in all different places around the house. Puzzles, homemade ones too...you can use a muffin tin, and put treats in some of the cups, and cover in tennis balls to get her to find the treats. Hope you keep us posted!

 

[Madzy420]

It's been a few months and my girl finally got an MRI this month and was finally seen by an orthopedic specialist. I'm in tears about this. (see report below.) She'll be 3 years old in June and how does something like this happen? Also, the surgeon suggested doing some experimental procedure involving arthroscopic "cleaning out" of the joints. He rattled off a bunch of stuff so fast, I didn't understand what in the world he was talking about.

Hubby wants a second opinion to see if there's non-surgical options to fix this issue like stem-cell or plasma therapy. I hope there's a better alternative out there than cutting into her leg. That this surgeon (who came to us with stellar references) never seen this before is frightening.

This is what her report said:


Standard multiplanar MR images of the left shoulder and cervical spine are reviewed. The study includesT2, PD and T2 Dixon images.

In the T2 and PD images, heterogeneity is seen in the proximal biceps tendon. Heterogeneous abnormalhyperintensity is seen along the cranial margin of the proximal tendon that is seen at the level of thesupraspinatus. There is greater heterogeneity and the signal intensity of the medial aspect of the bicepstendon, including a linear region that is defined in the PD images. At the distal aspect of thesupraspinatus, a focal intrasubstance area of hyperintensity is seen, most consistent with a focalmyxomatous change. The remainder of the biceps tendon has normal low signal intensity in all imagingseries and is distinctly marginated. Increased synovial effusion is not seen in the bicipital tendon sheath.

The supraspinatus tendon is mildly enlarged, but has normal signal intensity characteristics. The mostabnormal aspect of the supraspinatus is an angular mineral excrescence along the deep margin of thetendon insertion that flattens the cranial lateral contour of the biceps tendon.

The infraspinatus tendon insertion is moderately thickened, particularly towards its insertion. It is lowsignal intensity in all imaging series.

There is abnormal hyperintensity and possible enthesophyte formation at the subscapularis insertion. Thehyperintensity is also seen in the area of the medial glenohumeral ligament, but it is believed to be intact.

There is mild increased synovial effusion in the caudal aspect of the glenohumeral joint. The subchondralbone contours are smooth and the bones suppresses normally.

The cervical spinal cord and nerves have normal-appearing intermediate signal intensity and appropriatesegmental diameter. The discs maintain some degree of hydrated nucleus pulposus and none areherniated into the vertebral canal or foramina. The paraspinal structures are normal. The paraspinalmusculature is symmetric.

Conclusion:
1.

Proximal bicipital tendinopathy - presumed secondary to supraspinatus impingement and inparticular a mineral focus along the deep margin of the supraspinatus.
2.
Mild supraspinatus tendinosis.
3.
Moderate infraspinatus tendinosis.
4.
Mild insertional subscapularis tendinopathy with greater active disease based on higher signal.
5.
Mild glenohumeral synovitis
6.
Unremarkable cervical spine.

The chronic lameness is presumed to be associated with the changes in the proximal biceps tendon. Thismanifestation is somewhat unusual in that the supraspinatus tendon is only mildly enlarged. However,there may be greater bicipital change due to its effacement by a mineral excrescence associated with thesupraspinatus proximally.

 

[JanS]

So sorry to hear of a less than good report. I honestly don't understand a lot of it but I think your husband is right about getting a second opinion.

 

[Ravenbird]

Unfortunately the report is in medical-speak rather than an explanation that most dog owners can grasp. Did the vet give you any idea of what this translates to? Tendinosis is chronic inflammation vs tendonitis is like a sudden tear, if I'm remembering correctly in my horse background. The other thing that was generally followed was months to heal regarding letters in the name: bone 4 months, tendon 6 months, suspensory 10 months (we said "looks like a year off"). But that was 20+ years ago and it was horses in race training, so lots of different factors...

The "cleaning out" the surgeon mentioned might be referring to irritating the tissue to activate healing. Not unheard of, if that's what he's referring to. I'd need him to talk to me in easy-to-understand language preferably with diagrams and a pointer if it was my dog.

My friends Dutch Shepherd had a sever lameness at about 1 - 2 years old and the vet used something called a Class 4 Cold Laser - non-invasive, she would go to the clinic, lay on a pad on the floor in the exam room and a vet tech would rub this wand/light over and around her shoulder for maybe 10 minutes? Once or twice a week for a month or two? Sorry, wasn't my dog and it was a long time ago and I don't remember what the diagnosis was to begin with but long story short, it did work. She was also on restricted exercise during that time, but she was training in beginner Rally, which is on leash small movements in obedience, no running, or jumping or even trotting. So that kept her mind busy. This dog went has been physically active ever since including many fast cats and now going on 12 years old.

Here's some info on the cold laser if you think it would apply to you. If you wanted to ask the vet about it as an option or get a second opinion and bring it up with the next vet, it would be better if you understood how it works so they could say why or why not it would be worth trying. If it was needed long term, you can buy the machines and do it yourself, it's not woo-woo, they use these on humans too.

Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs: Pain Relief and Healing - MedcoVet

Relief Without the Waitlist Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs: Pain Relief and Healing 👉Help your dog feel better todayGet a quick read on whether red light therapy is a fit for your dog Reviewed: [March 2026]Updated: [March 2026] Cold laser therapy for dogs is a non-invasive way to reduce pain and...

medcovet.com

Wondering if @Ddski5 would have input since he works with human injuries I think?

Do you have a video of your dog limping? Is it all the time every day or is it mild and intermittent? Since you first posted in January has it gotten worse or just staying about the same?

Wishing you the best -

 

[Madzy420]

Unfortunately the report is in medical-speak rather than an explanation that most dog owners can grasp. Did the vet give you any idea of what this translates to? Tendinosis is chronic inflammation vs tendonitis is like a sudden tear, if I'm remembering correctly in my horse background. The other thing that was generally followed was months to heal regarding letters in the name: bone 4 months, tendon 6 months, suspensory 10 months (we said "looks like a year off"). But that was 20+ years ago and it was horses in race training, so lots of different factors...

The "cleaning out" the surgeon mentioned might be referring to irritating the tissue to activate healing. Not unheard of, if that's what he's referring to. I'd need him to talk to me in easy-to-understand language preferably with diagrams and a pointer if it was my dog.

My friends Dutch Shepherd had a sever lameness at about 1 - 2 years old and the vet used something called a Class 4 Cold Laser - non-invasive, she would go to the clinic, lay on a pad on the floor in the exam room and a vet tech would rub this wand/light over and around her shoulder for maybe 10 minutes? Once or twice a week for a month or two? Sorry, wasn't my dog and it was a long time ago and I don't remember what the diagnosis was to begin with but long story short, it did work. She was also on restricted exercise during that time, but she was training in beginner Rally, which is on leash small movements in obedience, no running, or jumping or even trotting. So that kept her mind busy. This dog went has been physically active ever since including many fast cats and now going on 12 years old.

Here's some info on the cold laser if you think it would apply to you. If you wanted to ask the vet about it as an option or get a second opinion and bring it up with the next vet, it would be better if you understood how it works so they could say why or why not it would be worth trying. If it was needed long term, you can buy the machines and do it yourself, it's not woo-woo, they use these on humans too.

Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs: Pain Relief and Healing - MedcoVet

Relief Without the Waitlist Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs: Pain Relief and Healing 👉Help your dog feel better todayGet a quick read on whether red light therapy is a fit for your dog Reviewed: [March 2026]Updated: [March 2026] Cold laser therapy for dogs is a non-invasive way to reduce pain and...

medcovet.com

Wondering if @Ddski5 would have input since he works with human injuries I think?

Do you have a video of your dog limping? Is it all the time every day or is it mild and intermittent? Since you first posted in January has it gotten worse or just staying about the same?

Wishing you the best -

This is super useful! Thsnk you so much. I am going to look into this today. I cant say how much I appreciate you guys taking the time to post your experiences and recommendations. We love this dog so much, seeing her suffer like this just breaks our hearts. This is very reassuring. Showing this to hubby now. (He'll probably buy one!)

 

[MyBuddy]

Wondering if @Ddski5 would have input since he works with human injuries I think?

I was just going to tag him! Hes so good with things like this! @Ddski5 any ideas??

 

[MyBuddy]

I'd need him to talk to me in easy-to-understand language preferably with diagrams and a pointer if it was my dog.

They should all do this! I mean, my goodness that's a lot to go through and understand!

 

[Ravenbird]

This is super useful! Thsnk you so much. I am going to look into this today. I cant say how much I appreciate you guys taking the time to post your experiences and recommendations. We love this dog so much, seeing her suffer like this just breaks our hearts. This is very reassuring. Showing this to hubby now. (He'll probably buy one!)

It's not cheap to buy by any means, but possibly less than surgery. There are cheap ones on the market that are not medical quality, so do homework on that. The main thing is you need to understand how it works and how to apply it. It would be especially useful to have a vet who agreed that it would be helpful. And you need to understand what areas to use it on. Since you mentioned a second opinion, if it were my dog I'd probably take that diagnosis to another vet who offered cold laser therapy and ask them if they thought it would be worth trying. Or if you like and trust the vet that diagnosed the problem you could ask if this could be an option and let them tell you why or why not. It would be especially useful I you had a vet treatment or two with one before you decided to purchase and do it yourself. I did go watch one of the sessions with Reckless and I think the only skill needed is knowing where to apply the light and keeping the dog still. It says it doesn't get hot, but Reckless did act uncomfortable toward the end of the session, like it might be getting hot.