help me figure this out (pic)

[NewfieMama]

Zuzu got hurt...at the PT's office 2 weeks ago. Happened when they were moving her from one side to the other on the massage/treatment table. She clearly didn't like the handling, then was barely able to walk after.

Rested a couple of days, seemed a bit better, but when we started walking again, she was off again. Saw the PT again last week and she insists that her patella is in place so it's not a case of "broken surgery" - but I'm stumped.

Here's a pic of her leg. It moves freely to the rear from the hock joint, but really resists and is painful trying to move it to the front.

Her knee is huge, as you can see from the pic.

Thoughts as to what this might be? I'm loathe to visit a vet if rest is all she needs...I just can't afford a $200 appt where they just tell me to give her Tramadol (which I have) and rest....

 

[Ivoryudx]

Does she have a hematoma on her knee? It looks puffy and it is not uncommon when they start using the knee post surgery for a fluid build up. You should have this confirmed with a Vet visit and lay off the exercise and therapy until it goes down. Normally they go down on their own but occasionally the surgeon will go back in and try to find where the pocket is building from and suture it. Not a normal thing to do but antibiotics may also need to be added or needle aspirated to remove some of the pressure.

Maddie got this with her second knee surgery and it was aspirated twice and then went away on its own.

 

[Ivoryudx]

Oh, and it took a couple of weeks before I could tell the fluid was going down. You should be able to feel it like a soft bag of fluid under the skin and your regular Vet can check it. The therapist should have been able to tell you if it was fluid on the knee as well.

 

[R Taft]

It also looks like a serome to me.....sometimes they are drained...I have also iced ours when I think they are hurt...short periods with frozen peas in a back covered with a towel, might help if it is recent

 

[NewfieMama]

She is in at the vet's now. The regular vet saw her and felt intimidated by her condition. They have an ortho vet in the office today doing procedures so they are keeping her for a consult and possibly Xray. They are going to call the surgeon we used in Boston as well.

Poor Zu.

 

[Tricia2]

Poor ZuZu, and you. I hope this is just a seroma or small hematoma that some rest, meds and tincture of time will fix. Sending good thoughts out to the universe for you, Mary.

 

[NewfieMama]

Well her lp repair has failed again and her patellar tendon is ruptured.

I am out of insurance money and out of ideas and pretty much out of hope.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Oh god, Mary...I honestly am pretty much speechless. This hurts my heart to read.

 

[victoria1140]

if her surgery has failed again will the surgeons reoperate for free as surely it shoulnt have failed again.

also if the pts did this from poor handling they have a responsability as well.

have you thought about a custom harness for her so even if she cant use that leg the rest of her body supports her.

l am so sorry you are going through this as its horrible. could you use credit care to help fund any further work and also if it helps and it cant be a lot l am more than willing to make a donation towards her treatment as its a **** when money has to be a consideration.

 

[Popcorn]

Oh no! You must be absolutely devastated. I am so sorry.

 

[R Taft]

I don't know what to say :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:..you must be so upset. I would think you should maybe get some help from the ortho who ddid her and the Physio who possibly caused this

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Oh Mary...I'm so sorry you guys have really been through the ringer, keeping you in my prayers and hoping for options.

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

I know life isn't supposed to be fair, but it just shouldn't be this unfair either. I'm so sorry you guys are going through this. There has to be something they can do to help her. Sending you all big hugs and lots of wishes for the help you need to find you soon.

 

[Murphy]

Geez Mary.. Just seeing this now and am pretty much speechless too. Sadly I know exactly how you feel. In Murphy's case it was surgeon error and I went after him until his insurance company paid up. Not sure what your situation is but I know how hopeless and heartbroken you must feel. So sorry friend..:icon_knuddel:

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

Oh my goodness. I can't even imagine. Poor Zu, and poor you as well. It would be worth it to talk to the ortho about what/how it happened.......and the PT as well. There may have been something signed that says they're not responsible, but they need to know so it doesn't happen to another dog.

 

[ajcooksey]

O my this is devastating I am so sorry. I would also be willing to make a small donation to help. I hope the vet or pt work with you.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I'm so sorry to hear this. There has GOT to be something that can be done for that poor girl! Will the PT people and surgeon not offer anything?

If there is anything that can be done, I'm sure we can put together a NN fundraiser for Zu!

Hugs to you both. Please let us know what we can do.

 

[victoria1140]

dont be worried about asking us for help either, we all know how it feels when one of our poor babies isnt well and there have been some great nn who have sent me stuff to help me.

It will be nice to return the favour and also keep talking to us as this is going to be a particularly depressing time at the moment though if my memory serves me correctly this is the third time this has failed so I would ask for the surgeons and physio to contribute as a) it should have been done so there was minimal chance of failure and b) what did the pt do to her to make it this bad and as she was in their care when it happened they should be held accountable

best wishs and let us know how we can help you

 

[Murphy]

Yes Mary.. let us know what you need.

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

I'm just sort of reiterating what I've already told you but...whatever decision you make, whether that is deciding that she shouldn't go through another surgery and making that painful, final decision, or whether it's giving it another go-round with another surgery - I support you wholeheartedly. WE will support you. And Zu. And help you out however we can! :hugs: