Case 6: Left Cruciate Repair
KIRI, Golden Retriever, Female (neutered)24/02/97
Park Lane, Brook, Godalming, Surrey
Weight = 30.6kg
Neck = 43.5cm
Chest =
Waist = 63.0cm
Bicep/Tricep = 23.0cm
Stifle ; Left = 29.5cm
Right = 29.0cm
Thigh ; Left = 32.0cm
Right = 35.0cm
Known Conditions: Partial rupture of left cruciate ligament and subsequent stifle DJD, also early spondylosis, and cauda equina syndrome. Surgery performed on stifle in april 2005, to repair the joint using the Imbrication method. A subsequent course of hydrotherapy has been performed, and the stifle joint has some heat and swelling proximally. Current Medication; Rimadyl ( Carprophen) NSAID 50mg twice daily, Cosequin DS ( neutroceutical) 1 capsule twice daily.
Aim; To improve Kiri's muscle tone and bulk in her hind quarters, where the is generalised reduction, especially around the left thigh. Also to increase movement and weight bearing ability in the left stifle, and reduce the reactionary heat and swelling associated with exercise.
Regime ; To start at a moderate speed, approx 3.4k/h for 10 minutes, and attempt to increase this to 3.8 or 4.0 k/h over 15 minutes.
10 Session Assessment;
| START | NOW | |
| WEIGHT | 30.6 kg | 30.6 kg |
| NECK | 43.5cm | 45.0cm |
| CHEST | 75.5cm | 75.5cm |
| WAIST | 63.0cm | 63.5cm |
| BICEP/TRICEP | 23.0cm | 23.0cm |
| STIFLE-LEFT STIFLE-RIGHT |
29.5cm 29.0cm |
29.5cm 29.0cm |
| THIGH-LEFT THIGH-RIGHT |
32.0cm 35.0cm |
35.5cm 35.5cm |
| DATE | SESSION NUMBER |
SPEED (k/h) |
DURATION (MINUTES) |
NOTES |
| 01/08/05 | 1 | 3.2 3.4 3.6 |
3 3 4 |
|
| 03/08/05 | 2 | 3.6 3.4 3.2 |
5 5 2 |
|
| 05/08/05 | 3 | 3.6 3.4 |
7
5
|
|
| 08/08/05 | 4 | 3.6 3.4 |
9
3
|
Foot placement better, no lateral rotation, no limping, good stifle movement. |
| 10/08/05 | 5 | 3.6 | 4 | Not concentrating and tweaked joint. |
| 15/08/05 | 6 | 3.6 3.4 |
8 4 |
|
| 17/08/05 | 7 | 3.6 3.4 |
8 4 |
|
| 19/08/05 | 8 | 3.6 3.4 |
8 5 |
|
| 22/08/05 | 9 | 3.6 3.4 |
9 4 |
|
| 25/08/05 | 10 | 3.6 3.4 |
10 4 |
Kiri has shown a marked improvement in her walking. She is now more confident in her weight bearing ability, and no longer limps when exercising, although occasionally after rest. There is also no longer any lateral deviation of the foot (inward turning), and her gait is more natural and relaxed. The muscle bulk is almost back to pre-injury state, and is even on both left and right legs. There is still swelling of the joint, which is inevitable after this sort of surgery, and will take 6 - 9 months to reduce to an unnoticeable level. Kiri also no longer gets the reactionary heat around the joint after exercise. |
| 31/08/05 | 11 | N/A | N/A | Attempt treadmill session, but severely lame on left hind, and heat +++ in stifle joint. Sedated and x- rayed joint again? Rheumatoid reaction. 02/09/05 ; Lateral arthrotomy of left stifle joint and joint scavenge, sample sent for pathology. 07/09/05 ; ? Localised allergic reaction, onto Atopica. |
| 19/09/05 | 12 | 1.6 2.0 |
1 3 |
|
| 21/09/05 | 13 | 2.0 1.8 |
4 1 |
|
| 23/09/05 | 14 | 2.2 2.0 |
5 2 |
(p.m escaped and found 2 miles away from house) |
| 26/09/05 | 15 | 3.2 | 5 | |
| 27/09/05 | 16 | 3.2 | 3.5 | |
| 29/09/05 | 17 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 01/10/05 ; Examine, joint inflamed +++ and hot, advised strict rest 2-4 days, 17/10/05 ; Medial arthrotomy of left stifle joint, and joint scavenge, samples sent for pathology. 19/10/05 ; Spent afternoon at surgery, dog incredibly bright and lively, and approx 40% weight bearing already! |
| 01/11/05 | 18 | 1.8 2.2 |
1 5 |
Some lateral displacement of foot. |
| 03/11/05 | 19 | 2.2 | 6 | Very good, foot straight, started to rotate laterally |
| 05/11/05 | 20 | 2.2 2.4 2.2 |
4.5 2.5 2 |
Very slight rotation of foot.Supply and train owner in use of treadmill and supply program, so Kiri can be exercised twice daily, Kiri is now on 100mg Atopica daily, as proven T-cell reaction, & Hills J/D diet to improve cartilage repair. |
| 07/11/05 | 21 | 2.2 | 7 | Supply and train owner in use of treadmill and supply program, so Kiri can be exercised twice daily, Kiri is now on 100mg Atopica daily, as proven T-cell reaction, & Hills J/D diet to improve cartilage repair. |
Unfortunately, even though Kiri showed a massive improvement with the recovery using the treadmill, she went on to completely rupture the cruciate in the right stifle(other leg) and the owner decided due to the previous complications and allergies, to have Kiri euthanised.