Saturday, August 3, 2013

Essential Facts On TTA Surgery

By Cathy Mercer


TTA surgery is the surgical procedure that is employed in management of anterior cruciate rupture that affects ligaments found at knee joints of dogs. TTA is abbreviation for Tibial tuberosity advancement. During this procedure, the top part of tibia is cut. After being cut, it gets moved in the forward direction to stabilize it in its new position. Lameness in dogs is mostly caused by cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

It is important to understand how the procedure works. After the ligaments are ruptured, the stifle becomes somehow unstable. In the event that the dog takes weight on the limb, there is tendency of tibia to move forward in relation to thigh bones. The dog may appear severely lame due to the fact that the thigh bone feels like giving away. One reason for the forward movement of tibia with weight bearing is the fact that the top part of the bone is not perpendicular to the tendon which joins the knee cap to tibial plateau.

Thus basically, the surgical procedure aims to make tibial plateau perpendicular to patellar tendon. Consequently, there is inability of shin bones to move forward. If this is achieved effectively, the knee regains stability.

The surgical procedure is only done when its benefits are far greater than the possible risks. It is also done when all other possible alternatives have been explored and are unsuccessful. It is performed on medium and large breed dogs.

There should be very careful examination and evaluation before the procedure is done. After carrying out initial examinations, additional palpation ought to be carried out, mostly under light anesthesia. This is used for the detection of any additional instability. X-ray images of the stifle and tibia are obtained which are used for detecting presence of osteoarthritis. Measurement of the angle of the tibial plateau is also done.

Prior preparation for the surgery is enhanced by the x-rays obtained. This is because with these images, it should be possible to evaluate the amount of bone that needs advancement, size of implants required for stabilization of bones and the location of the cut at the bone. Sample fluids from the knees are sent to the laboratory for examination.

The actual surgery may either performed on the same day of the investigations or on a different day. At the same time when there is administration of anesthesia, antibiotics and painkillers are given as well. What follows is clipping of the limb at the level of the hip to the ankle. After the entire surgical operation, more x-rays are obtained to be used for further assessment. Most dogs are discharged on the same day, only a few may get admitted.

Aftercare following TTA surgery is very crucial. Rehabilitation is bound to take several months. The use of plastic collars is employed if the dog licks the wound excessively. Two weeks after the procedure, a visit to the surgeon is necessary to examine the wound and remove any sutures. Before the bones and wounds heal, any form of exercise has to be very restricted.




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