Luxating Patella (sp).........anyone????

[lurky]

My dog had this surgery (left knee) years ago and it was a great success. This past weekend was very painful for him as the right knee has now become a problem. We do not have access to the wonderful ortho surgeon we had before. We are scheduled for surgery Aug 4th.
They said they were not sure if the surgeon would need to put a pin in or not. The left knee was much worse and they did not put in a pin. i was given an explanation of what this surgery is about the first time, and i cannot understand why a pin would be necessary at all

So i am hoping someone here might know something about this pin thing. I planned to google it, but i thought i might find someone who might know about this right here....... and it might be faster as i am not good at finding things unless its for someone else

Thanks for reading all this

Wendy

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I am assuming it is very similar to the human surgery.

The pin is placed in order to keep the tendon stretched tight over the patella.

In the human (my knee), the patella fluxed left and right and dislocated my knee at points when I turned too sharply. The surgeon went in, broke part of my shin and moved it to the inside of my leg. This caused the tendon to stretch. They used a screw to keep the piece of shinbone at it's new "assigned" place.

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:
ouch....

 

[Nikki28]

If he is a small dog they usually wont use a pin. There are a few new methods keeping the tendon from slipping. I have seen both work just fine it really depends on the surgeon. Usually you can call a specialty place and have a consult with a specialist over the phone.

Good luck.

Edited to say = I mean it depends on the surgeon as to which method they will use not if it will work or not

I re-read it and saw how it could be taken the wrong way.

 

[lurky]

Thank you for your replies........ i needed to hear that it was not uncommon. I am so worried. The first guy set the bar so high. His stitches were even a work of art. There was no blood, no bruising, no nothing. I am nervous and i will feel better to know it was not somthing only this guy does.
This is the first one.

 

[Nikki28]

lol you can always tell the doctors that are born surgeons. They are kind of a pain to work with but worth it because you know the work will be near flawless.

 

[lurky]

Quote:
The guy that did the first one (in the pic) he does not even meet the people. He is a traveling surgeon for all the vets that cant perform the surgeries in the office. NOW we have a new Emergency Vet Hospital and EVERYONE is forced to use it. They are so wickedly overpriced its sad. So we found someone in another state. I know someone who works there, so i was told he is a good surgeon. Its just scary. I was planning on asking when i got there about the pin, but i needed to know sooner so i could sleep tonight

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
ouch....

And to think..it all happened because of a rooster!

(Imagine answering the question "When did this issue start?" without sounding like a hillbilly...)

Yeah...it hurt and still hurts when it happens on the other leg.

 

[OccamsTazer]

I have assisted in a couple of these surgeries, and from what I have gathered, the pin is more of a loop of surgical wire that takes some of the slack out of the tendons that hold the patella in place. Kind of like tying a string around it. Unless we're talking about something else entirely...
One thing I have gathered for sure is that each doctor has different opinions and skill levels, veterinary orthopedics is still developing, and definitely get a second and third opinion before you do it!
Good luck!

 

[Nikki28]

Quote:
The guy that did the first one (in the pic) he does not even meet the people. He is a traveling surgeon for all the vets that cant perform the surgeries in the office. NOW we have a new Emergency Vet Hospital and EVERYONE is forced to use it. They are so wickedly overpriced its sad. So we found someone in another state. I know someone who works there, so i was told he is a good surgeon. Its just scary. I was planning on asking when i got there about the pin, but i needed to know sooner so i could sleep tonight

It is scary. The main reason I became a tech is to find the best doctors and be SURE that every thing was kosher in the back. I have seen some scary places and some really awesome ones too. The best thing to do is know someone who works there lol. Your pup is lucky to have such a loving owner!