Despite the fact that most pet insurance companies will cover ACL operations and treatments, most insurance companies have limits or limitations when it comes to ACLs.
PetFirst will cover ACL procedures after a 12-month waiting period, and unlike Healthy Paws, they do not have a bilateral cruciate injury exclusion.
How much does ACL surgery on a dog cost?
This complicated injury requires a lengthy recovery period, and treatments, such as surgery, can be costly. Fortunately, technology has allowed veterinarians to repair ACL injuries in new, innovative (and sometimes less expensive) ways over the years.
We’ll go over the basics of ACL surgery in dogs, as well as some alternate treatment options and indicators your dog’s ACL might be injured. We’ll also go through the price of ACL surgery for dogs and the elements that influence it.
The Cost of ACL Surgery in Dogs: Key Takeaways
- The cost of ACL surgery in dogs (also known as CCL surgery) ranges from $750 to $5,000 per knee. The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of surgery performed, the size of your dog, and other considerations.
- Unfortunately, ACL injuries in dogs are rather common. They might appear out of nowhere when your dog twists, turns, sprints, or jumps in the wrong direction, or they can gradually develop over time.
- Some dogs can recover from ACL injuries without the need for surgery. Anti-inflammatory drugs, braces, and crate rest can help some dogs heal, but ACL/CCL injuries are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by veterinarians.
Is ACL surgery covered by insurance?
ACL surgery is covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. If your plan supports it, your doctor must prove that it is medically essential. Knowing exactly what your doctor needs document to prove this can be beneficial. Inquire about your coverage with your insurance provider. Check to see whether your insurance covers only particular types of ACL repairs. Before beginning therapy, find out if you need preauthorization or any other papers.
Is surgery covered under pet insurance?
Medically necessary surgeries, including emergency surgeries and some prophylactic procedures, may be covered by pet insurance coverage. Elective or optional operations are rarely covered, and some surgeries may be denied if they are related to a pre-existing condition.
Is ACL surgery worth it for dogs?
The implanted plate and screws stabilize your dog’s knee at the operation site for around eight weeks after surgery. The plate and screws are no longer required once the bone has healed. We recommend leaving them in place unless an illness or irritation occurs. Only about 5% of dog patients who receive TPLO surgery require the implanted hardware to be removed.
Other surgical treatments, such as lateral suture, can help your dog regain his or her health if he or she is under 30 pounds. TPLO is becoming the recommended surgical method in small breed dogs, owing to reported superior outcomes with TPLO over other conventional treatments.
Can a dog live comfortably with a torn ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the anatomical structure of the connective tissue in the human knee; whereas, the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the anatomical structure of the connective tissue in dogs (CCL). Even when we speak to the knee injury in dogs, we shall use the vernacular term ACL for the sake of this article. The femur (upper thigh bone) and tibia (bone below the knee) of dogs’ rear legs are connected by this knee ligament.
You’ve probably observed that your dog’s knee is constantly slightly bent when they stand. The anatomical structure of a dog’s hind legs differs significantly from that of its bipedal owners. The ACL in a dog is always ‘load-bearing,’ and it is ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice, making it vulnerable to injury.
When ACL rips occur in people, they usually occur as a result of a single blunt trauma while participating in sports or activities. This is not the case with dogs, who frequently have a slight rip that worsens with repeated use. As a measure of protection, a dog with a slight ACL tear will begin to bear more weight in the non-injured knee; this compensatory behavior will often lead to harm in both knees.
Because ACL tears in dogs usually start as small, subtle injuries rather than a single traumatic event, it is typically possible to treat the problem early and prevent invasive surgery. Whether your dog is limping slightly, it’s important checking to see if he or she has had some knee trauma and is suffering from a minor ACL rupture so that you can start treating the condition as soon as possible.
The experience of a dog with a torn ACL differs significantly from that of a human. So, yes, a dog can live with a ruptured ACL, especially if the owner notices an adaptive limp in their dog early on in the healing process. Without resorting to invasive surgery, your dog’s ACL injury is likely to mend through non-invasive treatments that can be done at home. The damage will go away on its own in three to six weeks for most tiny dogs weighing less than 30 pounds.
Contributing Factors Associated With Torn ACL In Dogs: Age, Activity, Breed, And Weight
The most common ailment that an orthopedic veterinarian may see in dogs is ACL tears. While ACL tears and ruptures can occur in any dog breed, size, or age, certain breeds are more susceptible to the injury than others.
If you own one of these breeds, you should be especially aware of ACL rips early on so that you can treat the injury before it spreads to the surrounding bone.
Obesity and excess weight are additional variables that can lead to a knee injury in your dog. It is recommended that your dog be kept in an appropriate weight range for their specific bone structure through a balanced diet and frequent activity for a variety of health concerns, including heart issues, diabetes, and good circulation.
ACL tears are more common in larger breeds weighing more than 30 pounds, regardless of whether they are fat or in a healthy weight range. The more weight the knee joint bears, the more likely it is to be injured. It is critical for your pet’s health that you maintain a healthy body composition for them. Obese dogs are far more likely to get knee joint injuries because their musculoskeletal structure is unable to support the extra weight. Maintain a healthy weight range for your dog, regardless of breed, as a preventative precaution.
Muscle density decreases as dogs age, and bones become more weak. As time passes, your dog’s chances of developing an ACL tear grow. You might want to consider supplementing your dog’s diet with vitamins that will help them maintain their bone and muscular strength.
Most importantly, ACL tears harm dogs who have sporadic exercise. Dogs that get minimal exercise during the week because their owners are busy at work are referred to as weekend warriors. They are given the opportunity to run around in dog parks, beaches, and trails on the weekends without the support of regular training during the week. This sudden increase in activity might be fatal to the knee joint.
It can be difficult to stick to workout routines for your unique animal friend as a pet owner. Work responsibilities and commitments can get in the way. If you plan on giving your dog plenty of exercise on weekends, make sure they get at least two-three times during the week to run around to the point where the knee joint is fully flexed. Dogs who express their full range of motion on a regular basis will be well prepared for weekend adventures at dog parks, beaches, and trails.
What To Do When Your Dog Experiences An ACL Tear Or Rupture
Even with a healthy weight and regular activity, it is often hard to prevent an ACL injury in a dog.
If your little dog sustains a minor ACL tear, the tear should mend on its own within 3-6 weeks. Limit strenuous exertion and promote rest with extra caressing and encouraging words. Dogs respond to their owner’s energy field. Create a beautiful nest for your injured dog to rest in, and touch them frequently while using an encouraging tone in your voice.
Consider taking your little dog to the vet and having them treated with an anti-inflammatory medicine to help them recuperate and avoid bone spurs and arthritis.
If you have a larger dog, the treatment for ACL tears will be slightly different. Carrying additional weight on their injured knee lengthens recovery time and raises the risk of future injury to the uninjured knee.
Following your visit to your veterinarian, your veterinarian will propose a treatment plan for your dog’s damaged ACL. It may be necessary for your dog to have surgery if the ACL has totally burst. Remember that this isn’t always a required treatment choice, and you should look into all of your other options for you and your cat.
If you decide to have surgery, make sure you take some time off work so you can ice your dog’s knee and do some light range of motion exercises with them. They will be able to bear weight on the wounded limb and engage in normal activity in around three months.
Surgery is costly, and it is frequently an unneeded intrusive treatment with a lengthy recovery period. Consider getting your dog a knee brace, anti-inflammatory medicine, ice, and lots of rest. It is normally not recommended to operate on your dog for an ACL injury if the rupture is not complete. Your dog will recover from an ACL injury with the help of a knee brace, healthy diets, vitamin supplements, weight control (if obesity is an issue), and anti-inflammatory medicine.
Living With An Injured Pet: The Road To Recovery
An owner’s love for their pet is unconditional, and seeing your beloved dog injured is a painful experience. If your dog does get a knee injury, be careful to respond kindly and with a broad range of expertise.
It can be tempting to rush into orthopedic surgery, even if it is not essential, in an attempt to address the condition. You won’t need surgery if your dog weighs less than 30 pounds. If your dog has a slight rip and is a larger dog, surgery is unlikely to be required. If your large dog’s ACL is completely ruptured and you decide that surgery is the best course of action, be prepared for a long road to recovery, but remember that with your love and support, your dog will survive the injury.
Alternative therapies for an ACL damage in your dog include knee braces, rest, and supportive vitamins. Your dog’s ACL tear is unlikely to be fatal. If you’re unsure about your dog’s health, make an appointment with your veterinarian for an in-person examination.
Keep in mind that the dog’s owner is the center of his or her universe, and how you connect with your dog following an injury is critical to its recovery. They are reacting to each and every one of your communications. Your dog’s health and well-being are in your hands. If your dog suffers an ACL tear, familiarize yourself with a variety of treatment options and choose the best path to recovery for you and your pet to ensure the duration of your relationship and the quality of your dog’s life.
How does a dog pay for ACL surgery?
What are my options for financing and paying for CCL/ACL surgery in dogs and cats? The majority of vets expect payment at the time of operation. Few physicians offer consumers credit via their office, in which clients receive bills from their veterinarian and pay them on a monthly basis.
Can ACL heal without surgery?
One of the telltale indicators of an ACL tear is a popping or snapping sensation in the knee that occurs while quickly changing jogging directions. Pain and swelling are usually the next symptoms. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is frequently needed to confirm the diagnosis. You might question, “What’s the best treatment?” can an ACL injury recover without surgery?
It all depends on the severity of the rip as well as your level of activity. Non-surgical treatments and regenerative medicine therapy may be used to cure tiny tears (sprains). Full ACL tears, on the other hand, cannot be repaired without surgery.
Physical therapy rehabilitation may be all you need if your activities do not include pivoting movements on the knee. Special exercises may be used to assist the musculature around the knee compensate for the torn ACL while also stabilizing the joint. Activities like running in a straight line on a flat surface, for example, can be done with small ACL sprains.
However, for young athletes or active patients, ACL repair surgery should be done as soon as possible to avoid damage to the cartilage and meniscus inside the knee, as well as long-term repercussions such as osteoarthritis.
Despite a verified ACL tear, a young athlete who returns to pivoting sports such as basketball, tennis, soccer, and football after merely physical therapy rehab is at a very high risk of catastrophic meniscus injury. This could mean more time away from their favorite sport than if the ACL injury had been medically repaired in the first place.
Dr. Ronak Patel will do a thorough examination of your ACL damage and thoroughly discuss your treatment goals and expectations before recommending individualized solutions that are most likely to result in a positive outcome.
Dr. Ronak Patel is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who provides comprehensive care for all knee and shoulder diseases, with a focus on complex knee ailments. Call (630) 929-2249 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel.
Is it worth getting ACL surgery?
Most healthy persons of any age who want to continue doing activities that require a strong, stable knee can have surgery. Your greatest hope for a stable knee and an active lifestyle without more pain, damage, or loss of strength and movement in your knee is surgery combined with physical rehabilitation (rehab).
Is ligament tear covered by insurance?
Even if you have health insurance, you will have to pay for minor strains, ligament tears, rehabilitation, and even fractures on your own. The only exception is if physiotherapy or OPD charges are required as part of the healing process before or after hospitalization.
Can you get dog insurance before a surgery?
Yes, you can purchase pet insurance before surgery in theory. Unless your pet’s operation is necessitated by a condition that renders him or her uninsurable, you’re safe. However, if the procedure is considered a pre-existing condition, the insurance company will not cover the cost of the surgery or any related expenses.
Why acquire insurance if the procedure won’t be covered anyway, you might wonder. The good news is that, while the surgery may be deemed a pre-existing condition, your pet’s health may be re-evaluated by the insurance carrier in the future.
The ailment that required the surgery could be reinstated in the future, depending on the insurance company’s guidelines, and your pet could still be covered for it. Consult your agent for the most up-to-date information and advice. There will almost certainly be a “waiting period,” or a period of time during which your pet should not experience the same illness or injury, and you must be able to demonstrate this.
Pre-existing conditions might include orthopedic problems, allergies, skin tumors, and malignancies, to name a few. It will not be reinstated if this is the case. In fact, conditions like cancer and kidney failure would prevent them from getting insurance at all.