What you need to know about MMP cruciate ligament surgery for dogs
If you thought that humans were the only species that could tear ligaments in their knees, you'd be wrong! The canine version of the ACL is called the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), and dogs can tear them very easily. A torn CCL results in pain, limpness, low energy, and arthritis.
Partial and complete tears of the CCL can affect dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. With new veterinary technology, however, vets can detect torn CCLs and operate on them with greater efficiency and better outcomes. One of the newest surgical techniques is MMP cruciate ligament surgery for dogs.
If you're a dog owner and you'd like to know more about this technique, read on. We'll be discussing how MMP surgery can help heal your dog in record time.
When are cruciate procedures necessary?
MMP surgery is a knee reconstruction surgery for dogs. It changes the knee shape and its mechanics which leads to stability of the joint and relief of the pain caused by CCL tears. Dogs have two CCLs, one in the knee of each hind leg and MMP surgery can treat these injuries, in addition to pain and immobility. It can also help prevent crippling arthritis.
How does a CCL tear happen?
In humans, a torn ACL usually occurs with a sudden trauma from a misstep, jump, or other twisting motion. A cranial cruciate ligament tear in dogs is a gradual injury. It might begin with a sudden jump to action, for example, if your dog is lying in the grass and jumps up to chase a possum.
The tear will progressively get worse over time, resulting in worsening symptoms. If your dog is displaying any of the following symptoms, they might have a torn CCL:
Limping
Pain
Lameness in the hind legs
Gait changes
Clear favouritism of one leg
Without attention, a torn CCL can result in arthritis and poor joint health in the future.
What is MMP cruciate surgery in dogs?
MMP surgery, or the Modified Maquet Procedure for dogs, is an incredibly effective surgery with a quick recovery time as compared to other procedures. MMP surgery is named for Dr Maquet, who based the procedure on orthopaedic surgery for humans.
MMP surgery takes the pressure off the injured CCL by redirecting impact to the quadriceps muscle. This is done by changing the angle of the tibia (on the lower half of the leg) and moving it forward to the patellar tendon.
To be more specific, a wedge is placed within the bone and held in place with one pin. The wedge is made of a porous alloy, allowing bone to grow through it. Then, the patellar tendon can take over and act as the CCL.
MMP vs. TPLO
MMP surgery for dogs is far less invasive than a TPLO. It is less expensive, takes less time to perform, and the recovery time is usually faster.
However, both the TPLO and MMP are effective procedures. Depending on the breed, size, and age of your dog, an experienced vet will recommend one or the other.
MMP recovery time
A quick recovery time is very important when it comes to dogs. Dogs don't understand why they're injured, or how to take care of an injury, they just know something hurts. So the less time they have to spend in pain, the better.
TPLO usually has a recovery time of ten to twelve weeks, while MMP recovery time is significantly shorter.
Allow your dog proper time to rest, and limit physical activity. Your dog should not have access to stairs and should be kept from running and jumping. Make sure to keep your dog on a leash for six weeks after surgery to make sure that they don't re-injure their knee with unexpected movements.
The healing process after MMP surgery
Within two days, your dog will start putting some weight on their leg while walking. Keep an eye out for any infections, and prevent your dog from licking it by having them wear a cone.
Two weeks after the surgery, the sutures will be removed. At this point, you can take your dog for slow walks of 5-10 minutes periodically throughout the day. Your dog should feel comfortable walking on their surgical leg.
After three or four weeks, you'll be able to gradually increase activity.
After five to six weeks, your vet will take an x-ray to make sure everything is healing according to plan. Now you can walk your dog up to 30 minutes, and let them off leash for about five minutes as long as there are no other dogs or distractions.
Twelve weeks after surgery, your dog should be able to resume pre-injury activity levels.
Prognosis after cruciate ligament surgery for dogs
MMP is usually only associated with minor complications like bruising and swelling that go away on their own. Most dogs, up to 77%, return to normal within a few months.
Unfortunately, after tearing one CCL approximately one-third of dogs will tear the other side. This might mean your dog will need the procedure on the other side. However, MMP is still regarded as an effective solution for CCL failure and can prevent arthritis down the line. It's a great option to keep your dog healthy and active in the long term.
Take care of your dog’s joints with Doncaster Vet Hospital
If your dog is experiencing signs of pain, limping, or another injury, be sure to take them to the vet. Our experienced staff can recommend the best course of treatment to keep your dog active and healthy.
If you end up needing cruciate ligament surgery for your dog, you can rest assured that your dog is in good hands with our team. Contact us for an appointment today!