The technique known as TTA surgery is used to treat anterior cruciate rupture that takes place at the ligaments in knee joints of dogs. The top part of the tibia is cut as part of this procedure. The cut portion is moved forward in such a way that it gets stabilized in its new position, which can be done in a number of ways. Lameness in dogs is more often than not caused by cranial cruciate rupture in ligaments.
Understanding how the procedure works is very important. When the ligaments of a dog are ruptured, thigh bones tend to develop instability. If any weight was to be taken to affected limbs, there will be forward movement of tibia relative to thigh bones. Owing to the fact that thigh bone feels like giving away, there will be a feeling of severe lameness. Forward tibia movement when weight is exerted on them is attributed to failure of top sections of the bone to be perpendicular to tendons that join the knee cap to tibial plateau.
As such, the main goal of this surgery is to make the tibial plateau to be at 90 degrees to patellar tendon. Therefore, the shin bone is unable to move forward. When this happens, then the knee will feel stable.
The surgery is never a priority though. It is only done on two conditions. One, that the benefits to be derived from it far outweigh the risks. Secondly, that all other alternatives have been explored and have ended up being unsuccessful. This surgical procedure is done on medium and large breed dogs.
There should be very careful examination and evaluation before the procedure is done. After carrying out initial examinations, additional palpation ought to be carried out, mostly under light anesthesia. This is used for the detection of any additional instability. X-ray images of the stifle and tibia are obtained which are used for detecting presence of osteoarthritis. Measurement of the angle of the tibial plateau is also done.
With such x-rays, there is prior preparation for the surgical procedure. This is through evaluation of amount of bone that needs to be advanced, size of implants to stabilize the bones as well as the position of the cut on the bone. Sending a sample fluid from the knees to a lab for examination is also done.
The actual operation is either done on the same day of investigations or any other day after that. Just before the procedure, there is administration of both anesthesia and painkillers. There is also clipping of affected limbs at the hip level. After completion of this operation, more x-ray images are taken for additional assessment. While some may be admitted, most dogs are discharged on the very same day.
Aftercare following TTA surgery is very crucial. Rehabilitation is bound to take several months. The use of plastic collars is employed if the dog licks the wound excessively. Two weeks after the procedure, a visit to the surgeon is necessary to examine the wound and remove any sutures. Before the bones and wounds heal, any form of exercise has to be very restricted.
Understanding how the procedure works is very important. When the ligaments of a dog are ruptured, thigh bones tend to develop instability. If any weight was to be taken to affected limbs, there will be forward movement of tibia relative to thigh bones. Owing to the fact that thigh bone feels like giving away, there will be a feeling of severe lameness. Forward tibia movement when weight is exerted on them is attributed to failure of top sections of the bone to be perpendicular to tendons that join the knee cap to tibial plateau.
As such, the main goal of this surgery is to make the tibial plateau to be at 90 degrees to patellar tendon. Therefore, the shin bone is unable to move forward. When this happens, then the knee will feel stable.
The surgery is never a priority though. It is only done on two conditions. One, that the benefits to be derived from it far outweigh the risks. Secondly, that all other alternatives have been explored and have ended up being unsuccessful. This surgical procedure is done on medium and large breed dogs.
There should be very careful examination and evaluation before the procedure is done. After carrying out initial examinations, additional palpation ought to be carried out, mostly under light anesthesia. This is used for the detection of any additional instability. X-ray images of the stifle and tibia are obtained which are used for detecting presence of osteoarthritis. Measurement of the angle of the tibial plateau is also done.
With such x-rays, there is prior preparation for the surgical procedure. This is through evaluation of amount of bone that needs to be advanced, size of implants to stabilize the bones as well as the position of the cut on the bone. Sending a sample fluid from the knees to a lab for examination is also done.
The actual operation is either done on the same day of investigations or any other day after that. Just before the procedure, there is administration of both anesthesia and painkillers. There is also clipping of affected limbs at the hip level. After completion of this operation, more x-ray images are taken for additional assessment. While some may be admitted, most dogs are discharged on the very same day.
Aftercare following TTA surgery is very crucial. Rehabilitation is bound to take several months. The use of plastic collars is employed if the dog licks the wound excessively. Two weeks after the procedure, a visit to the surgeon is necessary to examine the wound and remove any sutures. Before the bones and wounds heal, any form of exercise has to be very restricted.
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