Freedom has a Partially Torn ACL

[Liberty & Justice]

Hello all, been awhile since we've posted. Took Freedom to the Vet yesterday for updated shots/exam. Turns out he has a partially torn ACL in his right rear leg. I thought it was his hip region was sore, so I kept massaging it for him. He could run/jump/play etc without any signs of trama, but I did notice some days he was a tad sore to get up. Anyways we're here now with this issue. Trying to avoid the surgery of course as I'm not a fan of what the process entails. Anyone have success with physical therapy ?

 

[JanS]

Oh no, I hope he recovers quickly. I wouldn't let him run freely until you get it resolved though, so it doesn't keep aggravating it.

I'm not experienced in it at all, but I think surgery might be the only option for it. Hopefully someone corrects me if I'm wrong.

 

[Liberty & Justice]

Oh no, I hope he recovers quickly. I wouldn't let him run freely until you get it resolved though, so it doesn't keep aggravating it.

I'm not experienced in it at all, but I think surgery might be the only option for it. Hopefully someone corrects me if I'm wrong.

Yeah I was super bummed to hear that. I may get a 2nd opinion as this was a new vet near our home. He seems fine actually, runs ( I don't allow him too now )jumps, etc. Just every now and then he's sore, and doesn't enjoy getting up right away. I was thinking he is now 5 and slowing down a bit. But then yesterday went for updated rabies, and an exam, now this.

My breeder ( highly regarded ) seems to think a sling, and several months of physical therapy and he'll be fine. I sent her videos and she watches us on tik Tok .

Anyways good to post on here, sorry kinda got busy with life. Hope everyone is well.

 

[Ravenbird]

So sorry you're dealing with this! No personal experience in this, except I've known two people that had a dog with a torn ACL, one did surgery and had great results, and even thought they were told it was likely to have to do the other knee in the future, the other knee stayed sound. The dog is currently about 11 years old - very large mix breed - and the surgery was about 5 years ago. The other one had a pit bull mix from the shelter and had both knees tear before it was 2 years old. The dog was looked uncomfortable some of the time, but they never did surgery and it never got much worse in the next year I saw them. They were neighbors and moved away, so I don't know if it eventually got worse or not. From my understanding, torn ligaments don't heal back like they were. I tore a ligament in my shoulder 30 years ago and it healed, but that shoulder hangs lower than the other one ever since - the Dr said to think of it like a rubber band, once stretched beyond its limit, it will not go back to its like-new form.
As @JanS mentioned, restricting exercise and doing therapy would be an option, but surgery is almost always recommended & successful. Wishing you the best.

Would love to see some photos again, it's been a long time!

 

[Two Dobes]

I too have seen others that either did the surgery, or opted not to, and did restricted exercise, close to NONE, and crate rest....took about 8 weeks, but I think that is the recovery when you do surgery? Also, that was before the therapies that they have now....cold laser, or that magnet thing? Unhelpful, sorry....
Keep us posted, sorry you are going through this.

 

[GennyB]

Anyone have success with physical therapy ?

My friend did have success with red light theray and hydrotherapy on her dog. I would seriously look into if I were you.