Dog ACL (Cruciate) Repair and Surgery in Kitchener

We see many dogs limping after playing at the local dog parks around Kitchener. Often, a torn ACL is the reason. In dogs, we call this the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). It is the leading cause of back leg lameness we treat at Kingsdale Animal Hospital. Let's look at what this injury means for your dog and how we fix it.

What is Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease?

The ACL (CCL) acts like a stabilizing band inside your dog's knee joint. When it tears, the knee becomes unstable. This instability causes a lack of function, pain and leads to arthritis. Although the final tear is acute, most dogs do not tear this ligament suddenly. It slowly degenerates over time.

Because of this slow wear and tear, dogs with one torn CCL have a high chance of tearing the other one later. Studies have shown a 50% chance of the other ACL tearing within a year of the first tear. Genetics, weight, and breed play a big role as well.

ACL Surgery Options We Offer For Dogs

Most dogs need surgery to walk comfortably again. Although dogs weighing less than 20lbs can do well with conservative management, in most dogs without surgery, the joint continues to deteriorate, and the instability and pain persist.

We offer two main surgical options to stabilize the knee for dogs in Kitchener.

Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO)

TPLO is the most successful procedure we perform for large or highly active dogs. Instead of replacing the torn ligament, this surgery changes how the knee mechanically works.

We make a curved cut at the top of the shin bone, called the tibia. We then rotate that bone segment to level the joint angle.

We secure the bone in its new position with a custom metal plate and screws. Levelling the bone stops the shin from sliding forward when your dog puts weight on the leg.

The knee becomes completely stable during walking without needing a cruciate ligament at all. Clinical studies show dogs return to walking and trotting normally within 6 to 12 months.

Lateral Suture Stabilization (Extracapsular Repair)

We typically consider lateral suture stabilization for dogs weighing under 25 kg. You might hear this called an extracapsular repair.

Weight is just one factor. Your dog's activity level is actually the most important detail. Calmer dogs do much better with this procedure than dogs with high energy.

In this surgery, we do not cut any bones. We place two heavy, strong synthetic sutures outside the knee joint.

These thick sutures mimic the job of the torn CCL. It holds the knee tight while your dog's body builds up thick fibrous or scar tissue around the joint. Once that scar tissue forms, it provides long-term stability.

We tend to avoid this surgery for highly active dogs. A high-energy dog can easily stretch or break the suture before the stabilizing scar tissue has time to develop.

What to Expect During the Recovery Period

A complete recovery takes several months of careful management. How well you handle the recovery period directly affects your dog's long-term comfort.

Strict rest: Your dog must be confined to a small area to stop them from running or jumping.

Cold therapy: Applying ice packs or a cold compression unit to the knee reduces swelling right after surgery.

Physical therapy: Guided exercises, underwater treadmill therapy, and laser therapy help rebuild muscle mass.

Pain control: We provide safe pain medications to keep your pet comfortable at home.

Dealing with a torn ACL is tough for any pet owner. Our veterinary team is ready to examine your dog's knee and explain your options clearly.