Dr. Walker just called. Penny is recovering nicely from her TPLO surgery and will be ready to go home tomorrow at 1 o'clock. She also had a torn meniscus, which was also removed.
There are two cruciate ligaments in the knee: the anterior, or cranial, cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior, or caudal, cruciate ligament (PCL.) 90% of knee injuries in dogs are ruptured ACLs.
When the ACL is torn, the meniscus on the inside of the knee often becomes damaged as well. About one third of the patients that are operated for a torn cruciate ligament also have a tear of the meniscal cartilage on the inner side of the joint (medial meniscus) .
Here is a graphic of how the knee moves back and forth, both with the tear and with the surgery.
A blog for a sweet red dog
Who's Penny
Penny's a sweet, two-year-old pitbull mix with long legs and a heavy body. She was diagnosed with bilateral cruciate ligament degeneration. She had her first knee surgery on Feb 29, 2008 and her second knee surgery on August 20, 2008.
More from Penny's mom
Penny's mom also has another blog, where she highlights paintings and other art work that she's completed. Proceeds from the art work that she's sold go to support Penny and her feline brothers and sisters.