One Injury, Two Paths: Our Journey Through CCL Tears with Hudson & Winni
If you've ever seen your dog suddenly start limping or holding a back leg up, you know that heart-drop feeling. At Winni & Me Woofwear, my dogs aren't just my muses — they're my family. So when both Hudson and Winni faced CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) issues, I found myself diving deep into the world of canine orthopedics.
What I learned is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all fix. We ended up taking two completely different routes for our pups.
Hudson's Story: The Bracing Route
Hudson is our 10-year-old hound mix who loves to play ball and run the fence line — protecting our property, or so he thinks. One day he started limping and stopped running around the yard. When he gave up his "protector badge," we knew he was in some serious pain. We took him to the vet and found he had a partial tear and some lameness on both sides.
I wasn't sure surgery was the right call for him. He was older, we didn't have insurance for him, and it was only a partial tear. After talking with the pros, we decided he was a great candidate for bracing rather than surgery.
The Solution: We went with custom braces from Animal Ortho Care - they were wonderful to work with and the braces fit perfectly!
The Strategy: We actually braced both back legs. This was suggested to support his overall healing and to protect his "good" leg while he compensated for the injured one.
The Result: Since Hudson was a great candidate for conservative management, the braces have allowed him to stabilize without the trauma of a major operation. He is doing wonderfully — we still put the brace(s) on him for walks, just for that extra support. If you're considering these for your pup, you can use my code JF15 or hit the link below for 15%off
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Winni's Story: The Lateral Suture Route
Winni is our 9-year-old beagle/shih tzu mix. One day she just started holding her leg up and walking like she'd been three-legged her whole life. She is definitely the laziest of our three dogs, so at first we figured she'd stepped on something and would be back to her old self in a few days. A week went by and she wasn't better, so off to the vet we went.
What he told us left our jaws on the floor — she had completely torn her CCL. I couldn't believe it! Fortunately, he suggested an X-ray just to be sure, and there it was on the screen. She had torn her CCL doing... what? I have no idea. That's when I learned that many dogs are simply prone to it. The ligament can just wear out over time, and the dramatic "injury moment" we picture is actually less common than we think.
Winni's situation was different from Hudson's. She had a full tear, and because she's a smaller girl, a bulky custom brace wasn't really a practical option for her frame.
The Solution: She underwent a Lateral Suture Stabilization.
The Difference: This is a less invasive surgery than the more common TPLO. It uses a strong suture to act as an artificial ligament, stabilizing the knee joint.
The Recovery: We're currently in Week 4. It's a world of restricted movement, playpen rest, and — Winni's favorite part — riding in her stroller so she can still get some fresh air without putting stress on her leg.
What I've Learned So Far
I'm honestly not convinced there's one "right" answer, but I am convinced that you have to look at the individual dog.
Size Matters: Bracing was a win for Hudson, but for a smaller dog like Winni, surgery made more sense for her frame.
Partial vs. Full Tear: A partial tear (like Hudson's) gives you more options. A full tear (like Winni's) often needs that extra mechanical help from a surgeon.
The "Nurse" Factor: Whether you choose a brace or surgery, you're going to be busy! Between adjusting braces and managing stroller time, recovery is truly a full-time job.