When the ACL is completely torn, dogs are toe-touching lame. The knee isn’t stable when the ACL is damaged and dogs don’t want to put their weight on the injured leg, so they just touch the foot lightly to the floor.
Because the anterior cruciate holds the upper leg bone (femur) squarely over the two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula), when the ACL is torn, the upper and lower bones slide back and forth damaging knee cartilage. White blood cells (WBCs) rush to the knee and it becomes swollen and warm. The tiny enzyme packets released by WBCs pit the cartilage and over time, the inside of the knee looks like a fireworks test kitchen.
If the ACL injury is minor, the treatment is rest and quad and biceps muscle strengthening. Swimming these dogs and slowly building muscles is ideal.
If the ACL injury is major and the ligament is completely torn, the best treatment is surgery. When the family chooses not to have surgery, some pets will also benefit from slowly swimming to build muscles around the knee and increase stability provided by external structures.
Dogs with ACL injury also benefit from a series of Adequan injections and from the herbal formula Benefit Hips & Knees( Xiao Chai Hu Jia Qin Jiao Tang). Benefit Hips & Knees has been used since the time of Christ, that is 2000 years because it is so effective.
In addition to helping dogs with ACL injury, Benefit Hips & Knees helps dogs with
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
• Hip dysplasia
• Hind limb paralysis due to disc disease.
Benefit Hips & Knees contains bupleurum root, Chinese red ginseng, gentian root, skullcap root, pinellia, licorice root, dried ginger and red jujube fruit. This combination of herbs expels pathogens, stops nausea and vomiting, generate Chi to give the limbs more strength.
If your pet has an ACL injury, bring it into WaterWorkz for swimming, Adequan, and Benefit Hips & Knees. When your dog is so sore it walks with toe-touch lameness, it will appreciate everything you do for it.
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