Mia update (petella probs)

Brattina88

Brattina88

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We got our questions answered from the vet... for those who were wondering about the severity, and whatnot.

Mia's right leg is at Grade III, and her left leg is a grade I.

I'll use a quote to explain to those who are wondering
Grade I - the patella can be manually luxated but is reduced (returns to the normal position) when released;
Grade II - the patella can be manually luxated or it can spontaneously luxate with flexion of the stifle joint. The patella remains luxated until it is manually reduced or when the animal extends the joint and derotates the tibia in the opposite direction of luxation;
Grade III - the patella remains luxated most of the time but can be manually reduced with the stifle joint in extension. Flexion and extension of the stifle results in reluxation of the patella;
Grade IV - the patella is permanently luxated and cannot be manually repositioned. There may be up to 90¼ of rotation of the proximal tibial plateau. The femoral trochlear groove is shallow or absent, and there is displacement of the quadriceps muscle group in the direction of luxation.

Grades II, III and IV require surgery to correct, if the animal has difficulty walking. The surgery required is governed by the type of abnormality present, but often involves a sulcoplasty, a deepening of the trochlear sulcus that the patella sits in, a re-alignment of the attachment of the patella tendon on the tibia, and tightening/releasing of the capsule either side of the patella, according to which side the patella is slipping. Some Grade IV conditions may require more involved surgery to realign the femur and/or tibia.
Click to expand...
It's been strongly recommended that Mia get the surgery done, at least on the right leg, by the end of the year to prevent it from becoming worse, and to relieve her from her pain. I'm pretty sure Amanda has decided that she'll have them both done at the same time instead of having to put her under and have it done twice. (we're getting funds together - waiting on tax refunds as well, may have to go with the payment plan)


on the bright side, she is doing better on the medication :) She seems happier, so we're very hopeful on what the surgery will do for her when we can get it done asap. She goes back in a couple of weeks to do bloodwork & such
 
P

PoodleMommy

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Im surprised they are doing a grade I.

Both orthopedic specialists I saw said grade I's are never surgical candidates, even grade II's arent always.

In any event I hope the surgery goes well... rehab is the most important part... if you can find a place that does water therapy that is the best.
 
Brattina88

Brattina88

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PM - would you recomend her not doing the left leg? I admit this is not my area of expertise. I have been reading somewhat conflicting information, to be honest. I was thinking her right leg is more of a grade II, BUT I'm not a vet ;)
I am trying to talk my roommate into getting a second opinion. I really do trust my(our) vet, but a second opinion won't hurt! She doesn't want to waste money if the money could be going toward the surgery otherwise.
 
Brandyb

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Good luck with the surgery, I hope all goes well. I had my little one operated on, and I'm so glad I did.
I would be interested in a second opinion as well in regards to her left leg as PM said. Grade one isn't usually a surgery candidate.
 
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PoodleMommy

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If it were my dog I wouldnt do the grade I leg (assuming that it is actually a grade I).

Even if it were to get worse in a few years and need to be done then because it is much harder to recover from doing both then to recover from only doing one. The dogs have an easier time moving around, doing rehab, etc. when they still have one back leg to work with.

I understand your concern about Mia going under twice but unless she was especially prone to problems with anesthesia I would probably stick with doing only the one at this point.

Do you have any board certified orthopedic specialists in your area? Or a university hospital that does surgeries?
 
Brattina88

Brattina88

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The only one I know of for sure is OSU, which is like 3 hours away. But I'm still looking into it!
 
joce

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go check out that vet in lorain! he does a lot of them around here. His prices are good to and it wont be insane just to get the second opinion.
 
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Dr.Marie

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Dogs tend to handle this type of surgery extremely well. We commonly will have our orthopedic surgeon do both legs at the same time...this way it is just one anesthetic and also less costly than having to do the other one years down the road.

Hope all goes well!
 
Brattina88

Brattina88

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joce said:
go check out that vet in lorain! he does a lot of them around here. His prices are good to and it wont be insane just to get the second opinion.
Click to expand...

Do you remember the name of it? I never knew there were so many vets in he area, some of the small ones I've never even heard of!
 
joce

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Maybe woods? I will call my cousin and ask her tomorrow. I know its the clinic right across from big lots. We started going there because they do a lot of work for erie shores. Worked on both her yorkie and her huge mix with great results.
 
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