{"id":1488,"date":"2020-01-28T11:55:16","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T15:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drphilzeltzman.com\/blog\/?p=1488"},"modified":"2022-07-11T10:32:50","modified_gmt":"2022-07-11T14:32:50","slug":"are-x-rays-to-diagnose-an-acl-tear-a-waste-of-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drphilzeltzman.com\/blog\/are-x-rays-to-diagnose-an-acl-tear-a-waste-of-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Are X-rays to diagnose an ACL tear a waste of money?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pet owners regularly question why we take X-rays to diagnose an ACL tear. After all, an ACL is \u201csoft tissue\u201d, and you can\u2019t see it on X-rays. This is actually a very valid point. So why bother? Is it a waste of money? Are we taking loving pet owners for a ride?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Zeus,<\/p>\n

The story of Zeus, a 3 year old pit bull, is a perfect way to explain why it is so important to take X-rays before ACL surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reasons include:<\/span><\/p>\n

. An experienced family vet or a surgeon can actually diagnose an ACL tear on X-rays. Sure, we can\u2019t see the ACL, but we can see the consequences of the tear: too much fluid in the joint, arthritis, displacement (or dislocation) of the thigh bone and the shin bone etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

. In order to do a TPLO or a TTA, we need to take measurements to plan the entire surgery, so X-rays are mandatory. By the way, the X-rays must be in a very specific position, and require sedation. If the leg it crooked before the patient is awake or struggling, the measurements will be off, and the outcome of the surgery may be affected.<\/span><\/p>\n

. Before any type of repair, we need to make sure that there isn\u2019t something else going on. It could be something benign, like a fracture. This was recently the case of Ellie, a 6 month old English Bulldog, who was thought to have a torn ACL. A simple X-ray clearly showed that she had in fact a fracture of the shin bone (tibial crest avulsion). Note how the fracture piece (red arrow) is lifted off its normal position (green arrow).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Fractured<\/p>\n

Or it could be something much worse, as in the case of Zeus.<\/span><\/p>\n

In December of 2018, the 3 year old pit bull was limping on the left back leg. X-rays showed subtle changed. A board-certified radiologist thought it could be a partially healed fracture of the shin bone and\/or a torn ACL.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

Zeus\u2019 owner, wishing to pursue surgery, found me on my website, and asked me to do a TPLO. I referred him to a clinic where I frequently do TPLO surgeries. Surgery was delayed for various reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

On March 6, 2019, the day of surgery, the knee appeared unusually swollen. We repeated X-rays to be safe. Surprise\u2026 this was not at all an ACL tear. The shin bone had been literally eaten away by, most likely, bone cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Bone<\/p>\n

I called the owner and explained the findings. Unfortunately, the best option was amputation. Initially shocked, the owner accepted. Surgery went well and Zeus went home.<\/span><\/p>\n

On March 7, 2019, the day after surgery, the phone update was good: \u201cZeus is doing well. He is getting around well three-legged. In fact, he had been only using 3 legs for a couple of months. He is eating and drinking small amounts. He has gone outside and urinated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a video showing what a trooper Zeus was during his recovery (yes, he should have been on a leash\u2026). He still has the Band-Aid over the incision. And he\u2019s able to climb a few steps.<\/span><\/p>\n