Cruciate Ligament Injury
Joint stability in the stifle (or true knee) is maintained by 4 ligaments, which criss-cross over to give the knee support, flexibility and movement. A common injury, which occurs to, the joint, caused by sudden twist of the knee, slipping on surfaces, obesity, trauma, breed predisposition and general wear & tear.
Four grades of damage:
  • Grade 1: minimal tear or sprain of a ligament with a degree of internal bleeding
  • Grade 2: Partial tear of the ligament
  • Grade 3: Complete rupture of the ligament
  • Grade 4: Ligament tears and takes with it small pieces of bone
    Symptoms include:

    • Lameness / Limping
    • Crying out in pain
    • Unable to weight bear equally
    • Inflammation/swelling/heat
    • Reluctance to exercise
    • Reluctance to straighten leg
    Benefits of Clinical Canine Massage – Grades 1 and 2:
    • Minimising pain
    • Decreases and minimises area of overcompensation and pain referral
    • Increases mobility
    • Encourages normal weight distribution
    • Strengthening of injured leg
    Massage can’t help restore Grades 3 & 4, but following surgery it can benefit by:
    • Encouraging equal weight bearing on all four limbs
    • Builds muscle to stabilise the leg
    • Increases mobility of the affected leg to minimise damage to the good leg
    • Increases recovery time after operation and makes recuperation time more comfortable
    Back to Injuries and Conditions
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