Tibial tuberosity advancement, TTA surgery refers to a surgical procedure which is used for the treatment of anterior cruciate rupture in ligaments at the knee joint of a dog. Basically, there is the cutting of top sections of the tibia. It is then moved forward and stabilized in its new position, and this can be done in several ways. Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is the commonest cause of lameness in dogs.
It is important to understand how the procedure works. After the ligaments are ruptured, the stifle becomes somehow unstable. In the event that the dog takes weight on the limb, there is tendency of tibia to move forward in relation to thigh bones. The dog may appear severely lame due to the fact that the thigh bone feels like giving away. One reason for the forward movement of tibia with weight bearing is the fact that the top part of the bone is not perpendicular to the tendon which joins the knee cap to tibial plateau.
Thus basically, the surgical procedure aims to make tibial plateau perpendicular to patellar tendon. Consequently, there is inability of shin bones to move forward. If this is achieved effectively, the knee regains stability.
Performing the surgery on dogs is not the only option, neither should it be the first consideration. It is only considered once all other alternatives have failed to offer any help. Even when it is to be done, it only becomes necessary if the benefits far outweigh the risks. The surgical procedure gets performed only on medium and large breed dogs.
Dogs need very careful evaluation to determine if they need TTA surgery. After the examination is done in the beginning, there is need for additional palpation under light anesthesia. Such additional palpation serves to detect any further instability. Specific x-ray images are obtained of thigh bone and tibia. With this, there can be assessment of presence of osteoarthritis. The tibial plateau angle is also measured.
Prior preparation for the surgery is enhanced by the x-rays obtained. This is because with these images, it should be possible to evaluate the amount of bone that needs advancement, size of implants required for stabilization of bones and the location of the cut at the bone. Sample fluids from the knees are sent to the laboratory for examination.
The surgical procedure may be performed on either the same day or a different day from when investigations are done. At the time when anesthesia is administered, antibiotics and painkillers are administered as well. The limb gets clipped at the level of the hip to the ankle. The surgery is done after which more x-rays are obtained for assessment of angles and position of the implants. The majority of dogs go home on the 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.
It is important to understand how the procedure works. After the ligaments are ruptured, the stifle becomes somehow unstable. In the event that the dog takes weight on the limb, there is tendency of tibia to move forward in relation to thigh bones. The dog may appear severely lame due to the fact that the thigh bone feels like giving away. One reason for the forward movement of tibia with weight bearing is the fact that the top part of the bone is not perpendicular to the tendon which joins the knee cap to tibial plateau.
Thus basically, the surgical procedure aims to make tibial plateau perpendicular to patellar tendon. Consequently, there is inability of shin bones to move forward. If this is achieved effectively, the knee regains stability.
Performing the surgery on dogs is not the only option, neither should it be the first consideration. It is only considered once all other alternatives have failed to offer any help. Even when it is to be done, it only becomes necessary if the benefits far outweigh the risks. The surgical procedure gets performed only on medium and large breed dogs.
Dogs need very careful evaluation to determine if they need TTA surgery. After the examination is done in the beginning, there is need for additional palpation under light anesthesia. Such additional palpation serves to detect any further instability. Specific x-ray images are obtained of thigh bone and tibia. With this, there can be assessment of presence of osteoarthritis. The tibial plateau angle is also measured.
Prior preparation for the surgery is enhanced by the x-rays obtained. This is because with these images, it should be possible to evaluate the amount of bone that needs advancement, size of implants required for stabilization of bones and the location of the cut at the bone. Sample fluids from the knees are sent to the laboratory for examination.
The surgical procedure may be performed on either the same day or a different day from when investigations are done. At the time when anesthesia is administered, antibiotics and painkillers are administered as well. The limb gets clipped at the level of the hip to the ankle. The surgery is done after which more x-rays are obtained for assessment of angles and position of the implants. The majority of dogs go home on the 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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