Is other joint damage common?Inside the knee joint are pieces of cartilage called menisci. The menisci act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia. Many times these cartilages are also damaged when the cruciate ligaments rupture. They are usually repaired at the same time as the ligament surgery. Show
Is an operation always necessary?Dogs under 10kg may improve without surgery, but joint damage and arthritis will continue to develop if the joint is not stable. These patients are often restricted to cage rest for two to six weeks. Dogs over 10kg usually require surgery to heal. Unfortunately, most dogs will eventually require surgery to correct this painful injury. What does surgery involve?There are various techniques available to replace the action of the cruciate ligaments. These surgeries most often involve the placement of artificial ligaments along the outside of the knee joint. There are newer surgical techniques available including Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) or Triple Tibial Osteotomy (TTO) that are especially beneficial for larger, more athletic dogs. Your veterinarian will discuss with you the best treatment option for your pet. Is post-operative care difficult?It is important that your dog have limited activity for six to eight weeks after surgery. Provided you are able to carry out your veterinarian’s instructions, good function should return to the limb within three months. Unfortunately, regardless of the technique used to stabilise the joint, arthritis is likely to develop in the joint as your dog ages. Weight control and nutritional supplements such as glucosamine / chondroitin or synovan injections may help delay the onset of arthritis in your pet. Many dogs will receive physical therapy after the surgery to speed recovery and reduce complications. Your veterinarian will discuss your pet’s recommended post-operative care with you prior to surgery. Is obesity such a problem?Obesity can result in cruciate ligament rupture. If your dog is overweight, the recovery time will be much longer. Obesity also increases the risk of injury to the other knee. Weight loss is as important as surgery in ensuring rapid return to normal function. How can you stop this from happening to your pet?Tearing of the cruciate ligament occurs when the ligament is diseased and/or there are excessive forces placed on the knee. It most commonly occurs in overweight dogs when they are exercising. You can help to prevent this by keeping him/her at a healthy weight and managing any arthritis or joint pain that they may develop early on. Please Contact Us to book an appointment. Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur among people of all ages and at all activity levels; in fact, they are the number one reason for missed participation in athletics. An ankle sprain occurs when the strong ligaments that support the ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear. The severity of a sprain can vary greatly depending on the number of ligaments involved and the extent to which the ligaments are torn. Most sprains heal with conservative treatments like ice, elevation, over-the-counter medications, and simple rehabilitation exercises. However, if your ankle remains swollen or painful for several weeks despite conservative treatments, or if you have difficulty putting weight on your ankle, you may need to be evaluated to ensure that you do not have a severe ankle sprain or fracture. If symptoms do not improve despite non-operative treatment, you may need surgery to repair or reconstruct the injured ligaments. Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, a chronic or untreated severe sprain can weaken your ankle, making it more likely that you will injure it again. Repeated ankle sprains can lead to long-term problems, including chronic ankle pain, arthritis, and instability. Ligaments are strong, fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones throughout the body. Numerous ligaments in the ankle help to keep the bones in proper position and stabilize the joint. Joint stability is important for all types of activities, including standing, walking, and running.
Sprains can range from tiny tears in the fibers that make up the ligament to complete tears. If there is a complete tear of the ligaments, the ankle may become unstable after the initial injury phase passes. Over time, this instability can result in damage to the bones and cartilage, the smooth lining of the joint. Patients often recall a twisting injury to their foot or ankle. If there is severe tearing of the ligaments, you might also hear or feel a pop. Sprains may occur unexpectedly during many different activities, such as:
The types and severity of symptoms for a sprained ankle vary widely depending on the degree of the injury. Symptoms may include:
Symptoms of a severe sprain are similar to those of a broken bone and require prompt medical evaluation. Your doctor will diagnose your ankle sprain by asking you questions about the injury and performing a careful examination of your foot and ankle. Due to the swelling and inflammation, this physical exam may be painful and often
includes: Your doctor may be able to tell the severity of your ankle sprain based on the amount of swelling, pain, bruising, and stability. If you have difficulty bearing weight, or tenderness in the bones of the foot and
ankle, you may need additional tests to rule out a fracture. An ankle sprain is largely a clinical diagnosis based on how the injury happened, symptoms, and examination by a medical professional. Occasionally, imaging studies, such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, are obtained to rule out a fracture or other injury to the nearby tendons and cartilage. X-rays. X-rays provide images of
dense structures, such as bone. Depending on your symptoms and examination, your doctor may order X-rays to evaluate the bones in your ankle and foot. Severe ankle sprains can have a similar degree of pain, bruising, and swelling as a fracture, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Stress X-rays. In addition to plain X-rays, your doctor may also order stress X-rays. These images are taken while the ankle is being pushed in different directions in a
controlled manner. Stress X-rays help to show whether the ankle is unstable because of injured ligaments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI scan is not required to diagnose ankle sprains. Your doctor may obtain an MRI: After the examination, your doctor will determine the grade of your sprain to help develop a treatment plan. Sprains are graded based on how much damage has occurred to the ligaments. Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Nonsurgical TreatmentNearly all isolated low ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. Even a complete ligament tear (Grade 3) will heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized and rehabilitated appropriately. A three-phase program guides treatment for all ankle sprains — from mild to severe: Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
This three-phase treatment program may take just 2 weeks to complete for minor sprains, or up to 6 to 12 weeks for more severe injuries. Home TreatmentsFor milder sprains, your doctor may recommend simple home treatment. The RICE protocol. Follow the RICE protocol as soon as possible after your injury:
Medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help control pain and swelling. Because they improve function by both reducing swelling and controlling pain, they are a better option for mild sprains than narcotic pain medicines. Physical therapy. Rehabilitation exercises during phase 2 and 3 of recovery are used to improve flexibility, strength, and proprioception (balance).
Surgical TreatmentSurgical treatment for ankle sprains is rare.
Types of surgerySurgical options include:
RecoveryImmobilization. There is typically a period of immobilization after surgery. A cast or protective boot is applied to protect the ligaments. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions about how long to wear the protective device; early mobility or weightbearing can re-tear the repair or the reconstructed ligament. Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation after surgery involves restoring strength and range of motion so you can return to pre-injury function. The length of time you can expect to spend recovering depends on the extent of injury and the surgery that was performed. Rehabilitation may take weeks to months. Outcomes for ankle sprains are generally quite good. With proper treatment and rehabilitation, most patients are able to resume their day-to-day activities after a period of time. Successful outcomes and return to activity depend on:
Chronic Ankle SprainsOnce you have sprained your ankle, you may continue to sprain it if the ligaments do not have time to completely heal. This can happen if you return to work, sports, or other activities before your ankle heals and is rehabilitated. It may be difficult to determine whether the ligament is completely healed, but symptoms (pain and swelling) can often guide the advancement of physical therapy and function. If pain continues for more than 4 to 6 weeks, you may have a chronic ankle sprain. Things that tend to make an already sprained ankle worse include:
Abnormal proprioception — a common complication of ankle sprains — can also lead to repeat sprains. Reinjury may result in chronic instability, pain, and damage to the underlying cartilage and bones. The best way to prevent ankle sprains is to maintain good muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. The following precautions will help prevent sprains:
What is it called when a ligament is torn at a joint?The human body has more than 900 ligaments that help connect bones, joints and organs and hold them in place. A ligament can be overstretched or torn, called a sprain.
What is a strain vs sprain?Difference Between Sprains and Strains
The most common type of sprain is when ligaments in the ankle are overstretched. If you “turn” an ankle, the result is often a sprain. A strain is similar to a sprain, except that with strains the muscles and tendons are majorly affected, rather than ligaments.
What causes ligament tearing?Common causes of ligament tears are twisting body parts or hard or awkward landings. Tears often happen when ligaments are stretched fully and then encounter some form of impact or trauma. Ankle sprains, a mild torn ligament in the ankle, can happen when you are walking or running, land awkwardly, and twist your ankle.
What do you call an overextending or tearing of ligaments?Sprain: Ligament injury
A sprain involves the overstretching or tearing of the ligaments, which are the fibrous connective tissues that connect bones to each other and stabilize them.
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