[CallaQuinn]

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has experienced a weight offset issue after TPLO? Quinn (2 yrs old) has had 2 TPLO's, 10 months apart (no complications). She has recovered from both but she still has major weight offset at rest with the first TPLO. This has been as issue for 1 yr, 3 months (first surgery) and most likely caused her other knee to tear. We live in the country and she runs well, plays, very active with a normal gait (to me) but ALWAYS weight offset at rest. Quinn is a stoic dog as she ran well with a fully torn cruciate (just had weight offset/positive drawer test to diagnose) so not sure if it does pain her to run.

Anyways, this has been such a long standing issue and this week, we are getting both plates removed and checking the meniscus of 'concern leg' while surgeon is in the joint. Really hoping this will help her weight offset but maybe this is our 'new normal'. Surgeon agreed that it was worth a shot to remove plates as she has seen some dogs show relief after removal.

Just wanted to see if anyone has been through a similar situation.....I feel sick putting her through another surgery but just want what is best for her (especially at such a young age)

Thanks,
Janet & Quinn

 

[suepuff]

Janet,
What's the muscling like in that leg? Have you had her spine/pelvis adjusted? I found that helps tremendously during the whole CCL process. What is her hange of motion on that leg and was it a problem during rehab? Is there any iliopsoas issue on that side? On the offloading from one side to another can cause strain there.

Sue

 

[CallaQuinn]

Thanks for your reply Sue. From surgeon recheck.....muscle mass fairly symmetrical to mildly decreased on left, good range of motion, stifle is very stable, mild discomfort in deep flexion and palpation of caudal stifle. We had absolutely NO problems with rehab/recovery....advantages of youth i suppose lol. I don't think its ilipsoas or anything like that because I had seen surgeon about this issue BEFORE TPLO #2 and after she tore the second knee, we thought the 8 week recovery would allow both knees to have a rest and heal. It didn't so that's why we revisited the issue.

Tomorrow morning is plate(s) removal surgery (Ack!).....hope it does give some relief to the issue. Quinn is only 2 yrs, 5 months old so taking the hardware out may have a long term benefit regardless. I have not had her for chiropractic treatment but it is a great idea and I will consider that if surgery does nothing aid the offset.

Thanks,
Janet

 

[rrwilly]

Just curious is your girl field or show bred? I have a pointer that had 2 TPLO's done 5-6 years ago I didn't know removing the plates was an option...

 

[Thomas D]

Find a good rehab vet to evaluate.

 

[CallaQuinn]

rrwilly.......The breeders dogs are involved in conformation showing and they have some dogs at junior level at retriever trials. My pup is not involved in either and was purchased as a pet....I wanted a well bred dog to join my other 3 dogs (spaniels). But, I kinda got a lil lemon which I don't mind as she is the best dog ever and I will do everything to make her life/health comfortable. I posted on this list as I figured there may be more than a couple TPLO's that people may have had and would have different experiences to share.

I just got a call from surgeon that hardware removal surgery went 'great' and I can pick her up in an hour. No regrets getting the plates removed even if it doesnt help her weight offset.....it would have been something I always wondered if it was the problem. And, she's so young....nice to have the plates outta there . Now we recover......

Janet

 

[suepuff]

Janet,

Where are you located?

 

[Thomas D]

I had a lab who had TPLO, was rehabbed and continued to limp. After going thru months of aggravation including hardware removal as a last resort. Still had the limp. Went to rehab vet who diagnose groin pull both sides. Never was right and retired early. I was told the hardware removal is to guard against current or future infection caused by hardware.

Sure hope your experience is better.

 

[CallaQuinn]

Sue....I'm in Burlington, Ontario, Canada

 

[CallaQuinn]

Surgery update..... Picked Quinn up last night, same day as surgery. There WAS some evidence of tearing of the medial meniscus (again, she had shown no lameness, no clicking, just weight offset at rest) so that was cleaned up (debrided) and also, a significant amount of bone had grown over the plate in 'concern' leg and that had to be chipped off to get plate out. Both plates removed. No visible infection was noted (yay) but screws were sent for infection culture. So, now we heal....hopefully this will be a positive outcome for her weight offset.

Tom....hardware removal IS mostly completed for infection issues BUT my surgeon has seen some of her clients benefit from plate removal with no apparent infection (help pivot shift etc).....so we had to try

Janet

 

[Mascofmendes]

If the problem doesn't disappear, I think the best solution is for you to see or contact a doctor. On top of that, it's extremely helpful if you have a smart weight scale. You can track your dog's weight with concrete measurements. In this way, you'll be able to observe when and why your dog is gaining weight. I'm not a specialist, so I'm not very informed about this aspect, but I know for sure that it's not healthy and it's better to find a solution to get rid of it or maintain the weight at its best.