Preventing CCL Injuries: The Key to Protecting Your Pup’s Mobility
Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries are one of the most common orthopedic issues in dogs, leading to pain, limited mobility, and often surgery. Whether you’re a veterinary professional working with CCL cases or a devoted pet parent caring for a pup recovering from a CCL injury, understanding how to prevent complications is critical.
I’m Dr. Laurie McCauley, founder of Optimum Pet Vitality, and today I want to talk about the number one unrecognized complication in dogs recovering from CCL injuries or surgery: loss of range of motion. This issue can lead to uneven weight distribution, abnormal biomechanics, and, unfortunately, an increased risk of injury to the opposite leg.
The Hidden Danger of Lost Range of Motion
Loss of flexion in the hock and extension in the knee is a common yet often overlooked complication in dogs with CCL injuries. If your dog can’t properly bend their knee or hock, they’ll struggle to position their leg correctly. This causes them to shift weight to the opposite side, overloading the healthy leg and putting it at risk for inflammation or even rupture.
Here’s why:
When a dog with a CCL injury tries to flex their hock, it mimics the motion of a cranial tibial thrust—pushing the tibia forward and stressing the already injured ligament. This is uncomfortable, so the dog avoids bending altogether, reinforcing bad biomechanics.
Sit-to-stand exercises, often recommended in early recovery, can actually exacerbate the problem by increasing inflammation and strain.
Preventing Complications with Proper Range of Motion
To prevent further injury, measuring and improving range of motion (ROM) is essential. Using a goniometer, you can assess the flexion and extension of the knee and hock. But here’s the key: range of motion exercises must be performed passively and carefully.
Best Practices for Safe ROM Exercises:
Isolate Each Joint: Avoid over-flexing one joint while neglecting another. Flex the hip, then the knee, and finally the hock, staying within the dog’s comfort zone.
Extension Techniques: Use a “clapping” motion with your hands—one on the front of the knee and one on the back of the hock—to gently extend both joints. Keep the hip neutral during this process.
Avoid Overextending the Tarsus: Most dogs don’t need excessive tarsal extension. Overextending this joint can cause irreversible damage.
Incorporate Massage: While stretching, massage the surrounding muscles, tendons, and fascia. This promotes blood flow, reduces discomfort, and may even release natural pain-relieving chemicals like endogenous opioids.
Watch for Inflammation
Inflammation in the opposite leg is a major warning sign. Increased joint fluid, or effusion, indicates internal inflammation, which can weaken the cranial cruciate ligament over time. If left unchecked, this can lead to a partial or complete tear. Careful monitoring and proactive care are essential to protecting the unaffected limb.
Takeaway
Recovery from a CCL injury isn’t just about healing the affected leg—it’s about preventing a cascade of complications that could impact your dog’s long-term mobility. By focusing on proper range of motion, avoiding harmful exercises, and monitoring inflammation, you can set your pup up for success.
I hope you found this information helpful and inspiring. With the right knowledge and tools, we can help our furry friends live their happiest, healthiest lives.
For more expert tips and insights, be sure to check out my Learn & Go series at Optimum Pet Vitality.