T's Bloggity Blahg Blahg

Entry for July 1, 2008

*~* HAPPY SUMMER *~*

I am reading my current issue of PULSE, July 2008 and I thought I'd share some material from the article "Tibial Tuberosity Advancement: One More Way to Stabilize the Stifle":

"Cruciate ligament disease is the most common orthopedic ailment seen in dogs. In 2003 a study was published which estimated the economic impact of treating dogs with cranial cruciate insufficiency in the United States at just over $1 billion...The most recently developed surgical techniques modify the geometry of the canine stifle to restore biomechanical function of the joint. They include tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), tibial wedge osteotomy (TWO) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). ..." there is also the lateral imbrication technique or extracapsular repair which is being done with great frequency but does not change the biomechanical function or structure. Most of the research that I am reading these days seems to discuss the TTA (vs. a few years ago it was nothin' but TPLO talk) and puts the rate of success in the 80th-90th percentiles. In a study of 57 dogs that underwent TTA after an average of 6 months of lameness (ouch!),

"...67% showed radiographic progression of osteoarthritis."

This is signifcant to me because it implies that time passed while a definitive decision was being made about whether or not to have surgery. And based on what people have told me through the years. In other words, it is highly doubtful that it took 6 months to get in to see the surgeon. In these TOUGH economic times, choosing the "expensive" route may indeed be a decision that takes time. But, the longer the knee goes untreated, the more advanced the progression of arthritis. And in many cases, the more pain and inactivity your dog experiences. I'm not a surgeon so I don't profit in any way from your choosing or not choosing surgery; this is just education. All the research I've heard and have been shown relates this same progression of arthritis and the ligament does not heal itself nor does the condition resolve on its own. Don't wait. Get all the information you need before you make an informed decision that is in the best interests of you and your dog.

2008-07-01 22:32:26 GMT

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		Entry for July 1, 2008 **~ HAPPY SUMMER ~** I am reading my current issue of PULSE, July 2008 and I thought I'd share some material from the article "Tibial Tuberosity Advancement: One More Way to Stabilize the Stifle": "Cruciate ligament disease is the most common orthopedic ailment seen in dogs. In 2003 a study was published which estimated the economic impact of treating dogs with cranial cruciate insufficiency in the United States at just over $1 billion...The most recently developed surgical techniques modify the geometry of the canine stifle to restore biomechanical function of the joint. They include tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO), tibial wedge osteotomy (TWO) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). ..." there is also the lateral imbrication technique or extracapsular repair which is being done with great frequency but does not change the biomechanical function or structure. Most of the research that I am reading these days seems to discuss the TTA (vs. a few years ago it was nothin' but TPLO talk) and puts the rate of success in the 80th-90th percentiles. In a study of 57 dogs that underwent TTA after an average of 6 months of lameness (ouch!), "...67% showed radiographic progression of osteoarthritis." This is signifcant to me because it implies that time passed while a definitive decision was being made about whether or not to have surgery. And based on what people have told me through the years. In other words, it is highly doubtful that it took 6 months to get in to see the surgeon. In these TOUGH economic times, choosing the "expensive" route may indeed be a decision that takes time. But, the longer the knee goes untreated, the more advanced the progression of arthritis. And in many cases, the more pain and inactivity your dog experiences. I'm not a surgeon so I don't profit in any way from your choosing or not choosing surgery; this is just education. All the research I've heard and have been shown relates this same progression of arthritis and the ligament does not heal itself nor does the condition resolve on its own. Don't wait. Get all the information you need before you make an informed decision that is in the best interests of you and your dog. 2008-07-01 22:32:26 GMT Site Home