Can a cruciate tear again after repair?

[tink123]

Hi. Our springer had a cruciate tear repaired with an extra-capsular suture in April. After a 10 week course of hydrotherapy he was back to 99% with no residual limp.

In the past week he has twice limped when getting up, but it righted itself within mins. Now today he has had a couple of walks (only 5 mins off lead) and he has come home, slept a little, now he is walking on three legs and refusing to put much weight on his leg.

I was led to believe a re-injury after so long is unlikely. so all i wanted to know, is it possible? I will take him to vets if there is no improvement by tomorrow ;(

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Yes it is possible, but uncommon.

[pequena]

It may not be re-injury, but damage from the surgery. However good the surgeon is, they are poking about in a place that normally wouldn't get poked about it and there is always residual damage, just getting to the surgical site. This can cause problems later on, even after a seemingly good recovery.

Did you go back to your vet and how did you get on?