What is the “best” surgery for a torn ACL in the canine?
A. There is no one best surgery. What is important to remember is that NO surgical procedure will completely heal your dog. Treatment of ACL injury in the dog is a lifelong process, involving rehabilitation, nutrition (weight control), and chronic/intermittent use of pain control medications and/or neutraceutical products. Dogs that have had TPLO or TTA surgery can and often do have intermittent periods of stiffness and lameness for the rest of their lives because no procedure is capable of stopping and/or reversing the osteoarthritis that is present in the knee. Ligament, muscle, and scar tissue strain in the knee are an infrequent problem for the rest of your dogs’ life.
