Anyone have to have multiple luxating patella surgeries on same knee?

[Noreen612]

My baby had LP surgery on her left knee back in November. Recovery has gone well & we are past the 12 week mark so I’ve been letting her play more again and be normal. This weekend she ran around in snow up in Jersey at my parents house. I noticed she was a bit lame but nothing much. Anyway long story short, she’s limping and lame on and off again. Took her back to her orthopedic surgeon who unhappily reported that she’s luxating again but only grade 1. He said could be she stretched tissue and give it a few weeks to see if it subsides. Possibility of a second surgery in same knee is horrifying. Just wondering if this is common? Has anyone else had to put their baby through a second surgery on the same knee? I’m now mad at myself that I let her play so hard but the doctor said she was being a normal dog after she went through the recovery period. So I don’t know. Any advice is appreciated.

[Lovetodream88]

I did not have to redo either of Callie’s knees but for the first few months she did have a pretty good limp after exercise. If you did do the 8-12 weeks crate rest then she probably lost some muscle. I did PT with Callie where after the first 3 weeks she would start doing the water treadmill one a week and at week 4 me did a 5 minute walk twice a day then increased it every week until we got to 15 minutes twice a day and did that until the orthopedic surgeon took her off crate rest. That slowly helped stretch things out and get her back into walking.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Noreen612

My baby had LP surgery on her left knee back in November. Recovery has gone well & we are past the 12 week mark so I’ve been letting her play more again and be normal. This weekend she ran around in snow up in Jersey at my parents house. I noticed she was a bit lame but nothing much. Anyway long story short, she’s limping and lame on and off again. Took her back to her orthopedic surgeon who unhappily reported that she’s luxating again but only grade 1. He said could be she stretched tissue and give it a few weeks to see if it subsides. Possibility of a second surgery in same knee is horrifying. Just wondering if this is common? Has anyone else had to put their baby through a second surgery on the same knee? I’m now mad at myself that I let her play so hard but the doctor said she was being a normal dog after she went through the recovery period. So I don’t know. Any advice is appreciated.

I had talked to several vets for Kaji's LP. (I think maybe 10 vets?) All told me I could do surgery, but a slip, fall, or overexerting himself could cause his knees to slip out again. Since Kaji was not in any pain, we never did surgery for his LP.

I hope your baby is not going to need a second surgery.

[ladyjane]

What type of repair did they do? If it was a lateral suture, I have been told they almost always loosen up. I only do TPLO surgeries on my pups and foster pups and they have never failed. I have had countless knee repairs on pups over the years. TPLO and arthroscopy is more expensive but, in my opinion, well worth it. Those surgeries are also only done by board certified surgeons who have had specialized training in those procedures.

Here is a link that explains the different procedures for ligament repair: https://www.topdoghealth.com/library...-cruciate-acl/

The problem with not repairing them is the dogs end up with severe arthritis. They can walk on them, but even if they don't show pain, they are in pain.

A couple of links that the surgeon I use wrote about LP and Torn Cruciate Ligaments:

Yorkie Haven Rescue - Patellar Luxation Info

Yorkie Haven Rescue - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tear Info

I am sorry you are going through this....very frustrating for you...and for the pup.

[ladyjane]

OH DUH......I just realized you said LP surgery....not a torn ligament.

I never do LP surgeries except on young pups!!! The reason not to do it in adults is because the knee is unstable and has been wearing on the cruciate ligament. The surgeon I use never recommends surgery unless the pup is unable to use that knee because often once you repair the knee, the ligament will tear later and you are looking at another surgery!

So sorry I misread your post. If your surgeon is not board certified, I would get a second opinion before doing anything else!!
You can find one at: www.acvs.org

[Noreen612]

Thank you each for your replies!! Lady Jane I wish we didn’t have to go the LP surgery. The reason I did is bc she was at the point of holding up her leg 100% of the time. The kneecap would not stay in place. So for quality of life I went for it. I was hoping w the high success rate we’d be good to go , on that leg at least. She’s grade 2 in her other knee but no symptoms so we left that one alone. I’m just hoping the sudden lameness & limping is temporary. She was doing so well post recovery. Yes her surgeon is board certified I actually went to acvs specifically to find ones in my area, northern Virginia. I went to two & chose the one I went with. I like him although there’s of course a part of me now wondering if I chose the wrong ones! But might not be his fault. She might have just played too hard. I really don’t know.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

OH DUH......I just realized you said LP surgery....not a torn ligament.

I never do LP surgeries except on young pups!!! The reason not to do it in adults is because the knee is unstable and has been wearing on the cruciate ligament. The surgeon I use never recommends surgery unless the pup is unable to use that knee because often once you repair the knee, the ligament will tear later and you are looking at another surgery!

So sorry I misread your post. If your surgeon is not board certified, I would get a second opinion before doing anything else!!
You can find one at: www.acvs.org

That’s what happened to Callie fixed the knee and a year later CCL tore.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Noreen612

Thank you each for your replies!! Lady Jane I wish we didn’t have to go the LP surgery. The reason I did is bc she was at the point of holding up her leg 100% of the time. The kneecap would not stay in place. So for quality of life I went for it. I was hoping w the high success rate we’d be good to go , on that leg at least. She’s grade 2 in her other knee but no symptoms so we left that one alone. I’m just hoping the sudden lameness & limping is temporary. She was doing so well post recovery. Yes her surgeon is board certified I actually went to acvs specifically to find ones in my area, northern Virginia. I went to two & chose the one I went with. I like him although there’s of course a part of me now wondering if I chose the wrong ones! But might not be his fault. She might have just played too hard. I really don’t know.

Did they use any pins? Callie had issue with pins but I can remember if they were in for the LP repair or the CCL repair. Callie had to have pin removed both times because they caused issues like what you are saying.

[ladyjane]

I have never seen a pup with LP hold a leg up continuously....only with a torn ccl have I seen that.
It is probably not the surgeon's fault .. as you suggested it may just have been too much exercise too soon.
Hope it stays as is and does not get worse.

[Noreen612]

Yes she did have 2 pins places in there I was told. I was actually hoping that it was one of the pins that was bothering her because my understanding is that fix is a simple one. However the surgeon said he didn’t feel any problem with the pins. But I don’t know maybe it’s something you can’t actually feel? I’m supposed to bring her back in another two weeks if she still limping so I guess we’ll see. I actually asked about a tear before we had the surgery
but they didn’t see any. My baby tends to be a little bit of a drama queen though so it could be that even with just the LP she was feeling weird and never wanted to put it down? I really don’t know. Fingers crossed!

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Noreen612

Yes she did have 2 pins places in there I was told. I was actually hoping that it was one of the pins that was bothering her because my understanding is that fix is a simple one. However the surgeon said he didn’t feel any problem with the pins. But I don’t know maybe it’s something you can’t actually feel? I’m supposed to bring her back in another two weeks if she still limping so I guess we’ll see. I actually asked about a tear before we had the surgery
but they didn’t see any. My baby tends to be a little bit of a drama queen though so it could be that even with just the LP she was feeling weird and never wanted to put it down? I really don’t know. Fingers crossed!

Mine didn’t necessarily feel an issue but thought they might be irritating her so after making sure the bone was healed they pulled the pins. Ended up having issues on both with the pins.

[ladyjane]

Hope things are improving ...

[Noreen612]

Thank you for asking lady Jane. Unfortunately not. She is still limping and or holding up the leg 100% of the time. I bought her back to her orthopedic surgeon for a second time and he took an x-ray he said one pin moved slightly but not enough that it really shouldn’t be bothering her but it may be it’s hard to tell. He wants to go in and remove the pins which I’m fine with but the thing that concerns me is he wants to also tighten up the knee since it’s loose again and shouldn’t be. I know that when he did the surgery he opted not to shave down the bone to deep in the groove because he said it was deep enough. But maybe Now he realizes he should’ve done that and basically made the wrong decision? I have no idea I’m just guessing. But I really don’t want her to have to undergo the three month recovery. But I guess if she has to she has to. I’m trying to get her an appointment for this week to go get a second opinion. I’m debating whether I should allow him to fix the knee again, or leave the knee alone and just take out the pins. But there’s the other part of me that feels like if it’s loose again he should fix it since he’s the one who should’ve done it right in the first time. I mean I realize it might not be his fault maybe she just played too hard and something happened but I suspect it has something to do with choosing not to deepen the groove in the knee. We did schedule it for the 8th only because if I’m going to do the surgery I need to do it now because I’m going to be starting a new job soon and won’t be able to take the time off to take care of her which I can do right now while I’m still at the old job.Very frustrated. Especially now when it’s spring and she should be running around playing and enjoying the weather instead she’s going to have to be cooped up for three more months. It’s really ridiculous.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Noreen612

Thank you for asking lady Jane. Unfortunately not. She is still limping and or holding up the leg 100% of the time. I bought her back to her orthopedic surgeon for a second time and he took an x-ray he said one pin moved slightly but not enough that it really shouldn’t be bothering her but it may be it’s hard to tell. He wants to go in and remove the pins which I’m fine with but the thing that concerns me is he wants to also tighten up the knee since it’s loose again and shouldn’t be. I know that when he did the surgery he opted not to shave down the bone to deep in the groove because he said it was deep enough. But maybe Now he realizes he should’ve done that and basically made the wrong decision? I have no idea I’m just guessing. But I really don’t want her to have to undergo the three month recovery. But I guess if she has to she has to. I’m trying to get her an appointment for this week to go get a second opinion. I’m debating whether I should allow him to fix the knee again, or leave the knee alone and just take out the pins. But there’s the other part of me that feels like if it’s loose again he should fix it since he’s the one who should’ve done it right in the first time. I mean I realize it might not be his fault maybe she just played too hard and something happened but I suspect it has something to do with choosing not to deepen the groove in the knee. We did schedule it for the 8th only because if I’m going to do the surgery I need to do it now because I’m going to be starting a new job soon and won’t be able to take the time off to take care of her which I can do right now while I’m still at the old job.Very frustrated. Especially now when it’s spring and she should be running around playing and enjoying the weather instead she’s going to have to be cooped up for three more months. It’s really ridiculous.

I am so sorry.. I would feel as you do and have a hard time with which way to go. I am sure you will make the right decision and hopefully she will be running and playing again in the near future.
Will keep her and you in my prayers....I hate that you and she are going through this.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Noreen612

Thank you for asking lady Jane. Unfortunately not. She is still limping and or holding up the leg 100% of the time. I bought her back to her orthopedic surgeon for a second time and he took an x-ray he said one pin moved slightly but not enough that it really shouldn’t be bothering her but it may be it’s hard to tell. He wants to go in and remove the pins which I’m fine with but the thing that concerns me is he wants to also tighten up the knee since it’s loose again and shouldn’t be. I know that when he did the surgery he opted not to shave down the bone to deep in the groove because he said it was deep enough. But maybe Now he realizes he should’ve done that and basically made the wrong decision? I have no idea I’m just guessing. But I really don’t want her to have to undergo the three month recovery. But I guess if she has to she has to. I’m trying to get her an appointment for this week to go get a second opinion. I’m debating whether I should allow him to fix the knee again, or leave the knee alone and just take out the pins. But there’s the other part of me that feels like if it’s loose again he should fix it since he’s the one who should’ve done it right in the first time. I mean I realize it might not be his fault maybe she just played too hard and something happened but I suspect it has something to do with choosing not to deepen the groove in the knee. We did schedule it for the 8th only because if I’m going to do the surgery I need to do it now because I’m going to be starting a new job soon and won’t be able to take the time off to take care of her which I can do right now while I’m still at the old job.Very frustrated. Especially now when it’s spring and she should be running around playing and enjoying the weather instead she’s going to have to be cooped up for three more months. It’s really ridiculous.

I think I would try just pulling the pins and see if that helps but that's just me.