Conflicting Specialist Reports Re Knee Problem

[grabonsam]

My BC boy hurt himself at the park 11 weeks ago. Local vet thought he had a partial cruciate, so rest & metacam. He's also had accupuncture & chiro treatment but continues to put mimimal weight on the leg when he's standing still. However, he can fully weight bear on the leg to pee, can stand on his 2 back legs with his front legs in the air (this is NOT encouraged, but sometimes happens!), runs and jumps at birds and planes in the back yard and several other weight-bearing things that don't seem to bother him. He uses both legs to scratch the grass to cover his scent when he's used his bowels and doesn't seem to have any problem with that either. When he lies down on his side he often gets a lot of strong (kick action) muscle spasm in the whole leg, and smaller finer spasm in his outer thigh muscles - towards the top of his leg. He's had an arthroscopy, done by a specialist - with the expectation of TPLO surgery to follow. However, the report after the arthroscopy was that the cruciate was intact and the knee was pristine, no inflammation in the joint, all bone ends normal, patella normal, couldn't find anything wrong. His lower back, hips and hocks have been x-rayed by another specialist, with no problems evident. The knee x-rays showed maybe a small effusion in the sore knee and maybe small changes at the bottom of the patella - yet the arthroscopy showed patella and knee to be normal!

He's been only lead walking for all this time and he's used to spending over an hour playing with his mates in the park so he's doing it hard. So far my bank account is a few grand lighter, but my boy is still resting the leg whenever he's still and still getting a lot of muscle spasm. He's been to a very reputable physio, who found a lot of tightness in his back and thigh muscles, which she's been able to help, but without a difinitive diagnosis doesn't want to continue treatment - which is fair enough, as it hasn't changed the problem with the leg.

We're both VERY keen to get back to our normal routines in the park, so is his little sister! I'm very reluctant to let him off lead while he still has the spasms and rests the leg when he's still. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what might be the problem or what alse to do?

Thanks.

[CavsRcute]

Are you in Sydney?

If so, I would suggest you take your dog to Mark Hocking at Gladesville for trigger point therapy.

I also spent thousands of dollars trying to find why my dog was limping...but no answers. She has acupuncture on a monthly basis and trigger point therapy when needed. If they are not walking correctly, certain points will become knotted.

Just as an example...Day before Mother's Day was visiting a friend who has tiles and a staffy cross kelpie with very high energy...not a good combination for my Cavalier who wasn't used to either. She slipped but was alright at the time. Finally they had a rest and she was laying on the pavers for about an hour. She was then in the car for about anothe hour and a half. By the time we got home she couldn't move and was yelping. Took her to Mark the next day and he found a huge trigger point at the top of her thigh..he did his magic and she was right as rain :thumbsup:I have also heard of a GSD who had been on a very long walk and then in the car for 2 hours had exactly the same reaction

If she has a tight trigger point, it doesn't affect her in every movement and I find that Metacam doesn't help much if she has one.

Good luck...it can be frustrating

[grabonsam]

Thanks CavsRcute, unfortunately I'm in Melbourne. I wonder if Mark could reccommend someone down here? It sounds like it could be worth a try as the metacam doesn't seem to make a difference here either.

[CavsRcute]

Thanks CavsRcute, unfortunately I'm in Melbourne. I wonder if Mark could reccommend someone down here? It sounds like it could be worth a try as the metacam doesn't seem to make a difference here either.

Hi Grabonsam. It might be worth a try...I find it really worthwhile. His number is 02 9817 5758

Cheers

[InspectorRex]

There are several ortho Vets in Melbourne that are excellent:

Dr Chris Preston at Melb Vet Referral Centre, Dr's Ray Ferguson and Mark Foley at Monash Vet Clinin in Clayton. Ray does hip and elbow x-rays for the German Shepherd Dog Club Scheme. Then you have Dr Roger Lavelle and Dr Wing Tip Wong at Werribee.

[grabonsam]

Thanks for replies. I'll call Mark and ask if he can recommend someone in Melbourne. I might take my boy to see Wing Tip and get an opinion from him, someone has to be able to work things out and get him comfy and active again.