G.S.P.S/K Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 My beautiful little Staffy X is 2 years old and has undergone 4 surgeries for luxating patella since June 1 last year. The first one was for her right knee which was successful, however this had been followed by surgery 3 times on her left knee. Her most recent surgery was 12 weeks ago & at her last vet check 6 weeks ago all was well. Today I get home and she's limping so I very gently manipulated her leg only to hear and feel 'crunching'. Checked her other leg- no crunching there. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow, but my questions is this- is amputation the best solution now? I am loathe to put her through another surgery to 'fix' her knee if there's no guarantee it'll work. She's already endured 10 months of confinement and because of this has had some personality changes and will now require 're-socialisation'. It will devastate me to amputate but I think this would be more humane. His anyone else experienced something similar with unsuccessful joint surgery? And to those that have an amputee: How is your dog's quality of life? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 (edited) I can only sympathize - my poor girl has been through hell for the last 12 months (well 24 months really) but its been 12 months since she had a somewhat unsuccessful MPL repair. Not sure we have reached a satisfactory resolution - is it being done by a specialist?? Could you go somewhere else for another opinion? Kenz quite probably still has 2 more surgery ahead of her. The surgery leg which wasn't done properly and the other leg which has recently been diagnosed with a grade 2 MPL . Is she using the leg?? Edited April 4, 2013 by ness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Hi ..that all sounds awful Was it an orthopaedic surgeon/specialist who did the surgery .. ? What was the original prognosis? What problem did the vet say was preventing success? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I had a very successful arthrodesis at VSS, Qld. Amputation was always an option but we tried surgery first. I would think that if you are getting recidivism of the injury then either your poor dog is not suited to this type of surgery or the surgery is not at an acceptable standard. Its a hard call either way, but since taking the option of surgery to repair the dislocated wrist, I have noticed sevral dogs with legs amputated who all seem to be in great spirits, fit and healthy. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbear Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I have a Chi foster who came with bilteral severe grade 3 patella's. One knee only took the one operation but she is just recovering from her 4th operation for the other knees and it is finally solid. Frankly I wouldnt consider an amputation unless your dog is in pain especially as the other leg is also a problem. I would go back to crate rest and then build back up again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temperamentfirst Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 Is the surgeon a specialist? From bitter experience I would now only use a specialist if one of our dogs has something like a cruciate or patella. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 LOL temperamentfirst = just because they are a specialist doesn't necessarily mean it will work out any better. My girl had hers done by a specialist and they didn't do enough to resolve it completely either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Attack Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 My heart goes out to you My 2 year old is looking at his second surgery... Take care of yourself x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temperamentfirst Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 LOL temperamentfirst = just because they are a specialist doesn't necessarily mean it will work out any better. My girl had hers done by a specialist and they didn't do enough to resolve it completely either. True, but I guess it depends on the specialist - that's when friends' recommendations can be very handy. I've just found that the specialist did such a great job compared to the general vet. No reflection on the general vet - it's like your GP operating on your leg instead of an orthopedic specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted April 4, 2013 Share Posted April 4, 2013 My border collie's knee op failed. After the vet gave me a really slim chance of a second op working I decided to leave it alone. A second vet also thought that scar tissue might stabilize the joint. This is what happened. The dog ended up with a limp but went on for another 10 years quite happily. The dog was doing obedience and was up to Open so I had to stop doing that as I didn't want her jumping. Her exercise was also free rein so she could run and stop when needed. Maybe a onlead walk a couple of times a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I would be concerned that the other leg may not support the extra strain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.S.P.S/K Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 Thanks for all the replies, some good news: the vet said its a bit inflamed, she as aggravated it slightly, but with some more strict rest it shouldn't be a problem! I was so relieved, as I was imagining him telling me she would need surgery again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temperamentfirst Posted April 5, 2013 Share Posted April 5, 2013 THat's great - it is hard confining them and being 'mean' but worth it in the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 Get an opinion from an orthopaedic specialist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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