Understanding CCL Injuries in Dogs (Part 2): From Pain Relief to Surgery
by Dr. Abby Sullivan
Once a dog has injured or torn their cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), it's important to begin treatment right away to reduce pain, prevent further damage, and support healing. The best treatment plan will depend on your dog’s size, activity level, and the severity of the injury.
Pain Relief and Activity Restriction
First and foremost, managing your dog’s pain is a priority. We often start with anti-inflammatory medications or other pain relievers to reduce inflammation and make your dog more comfortable. Just as important is rest—limiting your dog’s activity gives the joint a chance to stabilize. That means short leash walks only, no jumping or running, and plenty of crate or kennel time during the recovery period.
Assistive Devices
For some dogs, especially those with partial tears or those not good candidates for surgery, assistive devices can make a big difference. Tools like ToeGrips® and PawFriction® improve traction, which helps reduce slips and falls that could worsen the injury. Help 'Em Up® harnesses make it easier to support your dog while they walk or rise from lying down. For dogs with severe mobility issues, wheelchairs or carts can provide freedom of movement while protecting the injured joint.
Regenerative Medicine
We’re also seeing excellent results with stem cell therapy, which uses your dog’s own cells to reduce inflammation and promote healing within the joint. It’s especially useful for patients who aren't good surgical candidates or who have early joint damage.
When Surgery is the Best Option
For dogs with complete ligament tears or significant joint laxity, the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is often the gold standard. This orthopedic surgery re-stabilizes the joint by altering the biomechanics of the knee, allowing for a return to normal activity in most cases.
In Part 3, we’ll compare stem cell therapy and TPLO surgery—what recovery looks like, the pros and cons of each approach, and why a dog who tears one CCL is likely to injure the other.
