Guest KaylyRed Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 First, some background. Our Quin came to us in April still recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured plantar tendon. He had surgery at the end of January, and was still recovering from that, plus some pressure sores caused by his splint. He's doing much better now--his bandage is off and his sores have healed--but he still favors his bad leg, limping slightly when he walks, and hopping on three legs when he goes any faster than a walk. So... We took him to our vet, who took some x-rays. Our vet has greyhound experience, but hadn't actually ever seen an injury like Quin's firsthand before. He thought that Quin should be limp-free by now, though. He said that he would have an orthopedic specialist take a look at the x-rays. Well, today the ortho vet reviewed Quin's x-rays, and she thinks there may be a problem. She agrees that Quin should probably not be limping by now. She also feels there may be some problems with the way the bone in his leg is reacting to the screws he had placed there (he has a plate and 6 screws). My poor little Frankendoggy. Does anyone have experience with a dog who recovered from a plantar tendon injury? (Especially one that was surgically repaired, like Quin's.) I'm fretting a bit while I wait for my adoption group to get back to me with some information about who performed Quin's surgery so my vet can send the x-rays to them for review. I'd like to get a feel for how long recovery took with other dogs. I know every dog is different, but...well, share your stories anyhow, if you would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest minzenon Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 If there is no break in the skin you can help heal tendons (although Quin has already had surgery this method still may help) using a poultice - soak a bandage in about a cup of water and epsons salts longer the bandage soaks the better (if you have 2 bandages you can use one while soaking the other), shake of excess water then wrap around tendon and leave on for 4-5 days (alternating bandages) can change bandages as many times as you like throughout the day. I double by using cotton padding soaked in the same solution under the bandage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheryl2 Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Tendons can take a long time to heal, but not that long. Might be the screws and plate causing the limp as the ortho vet says. Could be they need to be removed or replaced. Quote Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest meandmygreys Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Tendon and ligament injuries take forever to heal...I have a barrel horse with a torn deep digital flexor tendon and it's been 18 months since he hurt himself..he's been out on pasture letting nature take it's course...there could be some reaction to the screws/plates ?? what ever is in his leg I guess...sounds like your orthopedict surgeon is on top of it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KaylyRed Posted June 13, 2007 Share Posted June 13, 2007 Thank you all for the advice. I'm just worried about my goofy guy, I guess. I'd hate to subject him to another surgery unless absolutely necessary. He seems comfortable enough right now. He puts weight on his leg--he just won't move fast on all four. We'll see what the vet who performed his surgery has to say about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.