RE: conservative management of cruciate ligament tears

[Guest guest]

I believe the long term success and amount of OA that develops has a lot to do with whether or not they continue supplements (or not) and/or other rehab therapy as well as the weight factor. To me the cases of Extra Capsular get more OA, no matter what else is done, compared to TPLO. The Tight Rope has not been used long enough for significant results to be assessed. As you all know, I am the Alpha-Stim gu-ru and my clients with chronic conditions end up buying one. Those that continue at least 1-2 times a month present symptom free years and years later. I personally have a corgi who had TPLO at 2 and 3 years (both legs). She is over 12 now and runs and plays full steam and (knock on wood) NEVER limps. No crepitus on ROM and joints are not enlarged. She has been maintained on nutritional supplements and dare I say, poor doctors dog, rarely gets her Alpha-Stim therapy. Regarding those choosing conservative their long-term usually for me includes more vigilant therapy but often are not worse off than those having surgery, especially if it was Extra-capsular. That’s what I see. Ava Frick, DVM, CAC From: VetRehab [mailto:VetRehab ] On Behalf Of Tania CostaSent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 10:57 PMTo: VetRehab Subject: conservative management of cruciate ligament tears i have to say, doing conservative management of cruciate ligament tears(including set protocols, LLL and land home exercises) for close to 6 years now, i would have to agree with richard and Mike on this one. I am not a vet , but have many local vets referring cases based on breed, activity, owner goals and numerous other factors, who are seeking an alternative to cruciate ligament surgery (due to age, finances and lack of confidence of the surgery)on the initial assessment the most important question is what the owners goals are, and explaining outcomes, both short term and long term so as to better educate them on an appropriate protocol and risks (such as secondary meniscal tears, which can happen if they have surgery as well).i also discuss different surgery techniques ( TPLO, Extra Capsular and Tight Rope) to ensure owners can make a more educated decision on their pets future. if it is a 3 year old lab or boxer, i have found often that conservative does not meet owners long term goals and through the educational process they determine surgery would be the best solution. However, with many dogs conservative management is the best solution and provides good results, both from a pain perspective and long term solution. Having now practised for almost 8 years, i am now seeing dogs 4-6 years post TPLO, or Extra Capsular repairs, and i can tell you they suffer osteoarthritis and compensational issues in close to 80% of cases. So it begs the question, does surgery really prevent OA? Perhaps someone could point me in the direction of research that shows that OA is less pronounced in dogs following surgical repair of cruciate ligament as compared to dogs with conservative management.I have many videos (which i am working on uploading for all to see) and i can tell you, one can not see any to minimal compensational issues..And most importantly in anecdotal reviews with owners 1 year later, they feel their dog is living a good quality of life, doing the same things they did prior to injury (from Shutzhund to agility, and even the ball chasing pet dog) Continued support and follow up, has showed me, owners are happy with the outcomes of conservative management, and the referring veterinarian is confident that there is no increased chronic pain issues utilizing this treatment method.Constructive input would be greatly appreciatedTania CostaCanine WEllness Centre inc.CCRP, VT, CAAP, CMT, osteo

[Guest guest]

" Having now practised for almost 8 years, i am now seeing dogs 4-6 years post

TPLO, or Extra Capsular repairs, and i can tell you they suffer osteoarthritis

and compensational issues in close to 80% of cases. So it begs the question,

does surgery really prevent OA? "

The surgeons I work closely with have been telling me there are recent studies

out (sorry no articles to post for everyone) that it doesn't matter if you do

sugary now or later, the dogs still get OA.

-

Hagler BS RVT CCRP CBW CVPP-pending

Sent from my iPhone

[Guest guest]

At our surgical facility we are very upfront and honest with owners that we are NOT preventing OA with doing surgery but we are slowing down the progression.

Webb, RVT, CCRP