Brave, bright and already recovering well, Darcie the Rottweiler is heading home after knee surgery, having once again shown just what a wonderful patient she is.
Three-year-old Rottweiler Darcie is proving that courage can come with a wagging tail and a very gentle nature.
This lovely girl has just undergone MMP surgery for a ruptured cruciate ligament in her right knee, and only two days later she is already showing everyone what a superb patient she is.
Darcie has been a great patient throughout, charming the team with her calm nature and sweet temperament. Her story is especially remarkable because this is the second time she has faced the same problem.
Last December she needed surgery on her left knee for the same condition, making this recent operation on the right side an unwelcome repeat. Happily, she has taken it all in her stride and is recovering beautifully.
Senior Veterinary Nurse Sophie Rowell RVN said: “Darcie has been so easy to deal with; she is a joy to have at the practice. It’s lovely to see her responding so well to the surgery.”
Darcie’s procedure involved opening the knee joint to inspect the damage inside the stifle, the canine equivalent of the knee.
We then created a precise drill hole and bone cut, known as an osteotomy, in the tibia. The front section of the bone was gently advanced forward so that a titanium wedge could be placed into the new position.
A pin and titanium staple were used to hold everything securely while healing takes place. It is a clever technique designed to change the forces through the joint, helping to stabilise the knee without relying on the damaged ligament. The post-op xray shows the implants in place.
The good news is that Darcie will be going home today, where her recovery can continue in familiar surroundings. For now, life will need to stay calm and controlled.
Gentle lead walks in the garden will begin from day one, giving her a safe start to using the leg again while protecting the healing bone. She will stay on pain-relieving anti-inflammatory medication for around four weeks, and her exercise will gradually increase as healing progresses.
Although it will likely be two to three months before the leg is ready for running, she should be enjoying longer lead walks well before then. If her progress so far is anything to go by, Darcie has every chance of making another excellent recovery.
Cruciate ligament disease is sadly very common in Rottweilers, although dogs of almost any size or breed can develop it. In many cases, the problem is caused not by one dramatic accident, but by a gradual degenerative process that weakens the ligament over time inside the stifle joint.
The first sign owners notice is often a sudden lameness in a back leg, when the weakened ligament finally gives way during normal exercise.
Because the disease process often affects both knees, it is not unusual for dogs like Darcie to experience problems on one side and then the other.
Thanks to modern orthopaedic techniques such as the Modified Maquet Procedure, however, many dogs can return to a happy, active life. Well done Darcie!
Jason Williams
Bicester Vets
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