Aftercare
Provide analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication as directed by your pet's surgeon
Excessive activity must be limited for about 2 to 3 months
Rehabilitation therapy is very important.
Convalescence
By 10 to 14 days after the surgery, your pet should be touching the toes to the ground at a walk
By 2 to 3 months after surgery your pet should be using the limb well
If your pet does not follow a normal progression of recovery, the surgeon should be notified
Prognosis
Surgery has approximately a 90% success rate. Success is defined as the return of good function of the limb
Unfortunately surgery will not remove the arthritis that may already be present in the knee. As a result, your pet may have some stiffness of the limb in the mornings or after laying down for a nap. In addition, your pet may have some lameness after heavy exercise
By having the surgery done earlier, the chance of developing significant arthritis is decreased
Dogs that have a higher grade of patellar luxation may have increased risk for reluxation of the patella
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