Can surgery significantly help a damaged cruciate ligament?
My German shepherd has an old cruciate ligament injury, with arthritis apparent on the x-rays. I must decide whether to have it operated on or not. He is only two and one-half years old, but I hesitate to put him through the surgery if pain and restricted activity are likely to result. Will surgery make a significant improvement in his quality of life? What should we do? Yes, the progression of disabling arthritis may be slowed or halted. Your dog will do better in the long run if you have the surgery performed. The arthritis that is present is irreversible; but with surgery, the progression can be slowed or halted. Additionally, substantial cartilage damage will continue to occur until the knee is properly stabilized. This damage could result in marked worsening of your dog’s lameness. Many veterinarians have witnessed substantial recovery and improved function in dogs after surgery, especially when significant arthritis is present. There are several surgical approaches to treating a
