Newsletters

MAY NEWSLETTER
Rehabilitation and Surgical Alternatives (Stifle surgery Part 2)
See the April newsletter for Part one, Stifle Surgery options

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So your dog has had knee surgery, now what?  Parks Veterinary offers physical therapy and rehabilitation to help your pet recover more quickly and effectively from orthopedic procedures.  

Immediately post operatively, what does recovery look like?                                           

With any type of orthopedic repair, successful recovery really happens at home after surgery. This is a crucial time for tissue healing and bone repair. We recommend 6-8 weeks of limited activity – meaning no running, jumping, playing, hunting or excessive activity. We also recommend crate confinement while patients are not supervised at home. So kenneled during the day while owners are at work and usually at night to sleep. Again, this ensures that the dog can not participate in any strenuous activity or behaviors.

Controlled rest is essential in the early weeks after surgery. Too much activity too soon can damage the repair before it has a chance to heal. But let’s be honest: crate rest is challenging for active dogs and their families. How do you manage this?

• Establish a predictable daily routine so your dog knows what to expect
• Use food puzzles, stuffed Kongs, and lick mats to provide mental stimulation
• Practice calm, low-key interactions rather than exciting play
• Take prescribed short leash walks for bathroom breaks and gentle movement
• Rotate enrichment activities to prevent boredom

Once the initial healing phase has occurred, most owners would like their 4-legged family member back up and moving as quickly as possible. How do you help the patient regain full recovery?

REHABILITATION

Patients are also most successful by incorporating rehabilitation or structured return to normal activity. Rehabilitation is what gets your dog back to comfortable, confident movement. This also helps to protects the surgical repair, rebuild the muscle that’s been lost during lameness, and restore the patient to normal range of motion.

A typical rehabilitation plan includes:

• Controlled leash walks: Starting short and gradually increasing distance and duration
• Range-of-motion exercises: Gentle stretching to maintain joint flexibility
• Strengthening exercises: Progressive activities that rebuild muscle safely
• Professional modalities: Laser therapy, underwater treadmill, or other treatments that reduce pain and speed healing

We tailor protocols to your dog’s specific surgery, home environment, your schedule and goals for function. Clear, achievable instructions make it easier to stay on track.

Other questions that commonly occur with a Cruciate Injury:

What if we can’t do surgery?

Conservative management with strict rest, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy can help some dogs, particularly very small dogs or those with health conditions that make anesthesia risky. However, the knee remains unstable, and arthritis typically progresses faster without surgical stabilization. We can discuss whether conservative care might be appropriate for your situation.

Can my dog tear the other ACL?

Unfortunately, yes. Studies suggest 40-60% of dogs who tear one CCL will eventually injure the other knee. Weight control, consistent exercise, improved footing, and avoiding high-risk activities help reduce this risk.

How Can You Protect Your Dog’s Joints Long-Term?

Whether your dog is recovering from surgery or you want to protect against future injuries, daily habits make a real difference.

At-home strategies for joint health:

• Warm up before activity: A few minutes of leash walking before intense play prepares muscles and joints. Implementing warm-ups and cooldowns for dogs reduces strain.
• Maintain healthy weight: Extra pounds significantly increase stress on knee joints. Even modest weight loss helps.
• Improve footing: Add non-slip rugs on hardwood floors and use grippy boots.
• Build consistent exercise: Regular, moderate activity is safer than weekend-warrior bursts of intense play.

Supporting Senior Dogs

Older dogs with knee injuries often benefit from a multi-modal approach to comfort. Options we may recommend include:

• Librela: A monthly injection that targets arthritis pain and helps many seniors move more freely
• Laser therapy: Reduces inflammation and supports tissue healing
• Weight management: Lighter dogs put less stress on arthritic joints
• Home modifications: Ramps, orthopedic beds, and non-slip surfaces

If you want to discuss pain management options for an older dog, please contact us and we’ll help create a plan that fits your dog’s comfort goal.