Baby Ben's Boo-Boo Knee

Warning! There are graphic post-surgery pictures coming up! Despite their ugliness, they are absolutely amazing looking for less than 24 hours after surgery.

Yesterday Dr. Silbernagel operated to repair Ben's knee. His knee joint was congenitally at about a 29% angle which put too much ware and tear and stress on his ligament and it gave way, just like his left one did about a year and a half ago.  Part of the knee bone was shaved down to change the angle to about 7% and a titanium plate and 6 screws were inserted to shore up the knee.


First they shaved the whole leg...

...as well as a spot on the front and a patch above his tail where the epidural went in.

It mostly looks bad because of the bruising.
But in reality, it looks AWESOME!
All of the stitches are on the inside the the outside is glued so there's no oozing or mess.
I have to ice it every few hours and do range of motion exercises.  He has to stay quiet and off the furniture, but he is doing amazingly well. He's eating like normal, using it to toe touch, bending his knee when he sits and even went potty OK tonight.  We're over the hardest part.  On to healing!

PS. Dear God, Bentley respectfully requests that you warm things up outside since this recent cold snap is mighty chilly on his newly barenaked leg!  Thank you!

Comments

Sara in WI said…
Aaaw. That's amazing. You make a good nurse, Molly Bee!
terri browne said…
Brinkley sends hugs to Ben! I'm glad he is doing so well.

Can you knit him a leg warmer? :)
Barb said…
Dear, dear Ben. It sounds like he is a good patient just our Diddy Cat is right now. We have to replace his bandage wrappings every three days. He just stays put and lets us do it. These are amazing animals. Tell Ben that Diddy sends his best! :O)

P.S. Good Nurse, You!!
Michelle said…
Oh my! Did the vet do all that whittling on his other leg, too? I hope he never reinjures either one again!
YarnThrower said…
So relieved to hear that Ben came through it like a champ! He's such a great dog!
YarnThrower said…
I mean, I've never met him to know *in person*, but he sits still for longer than my kids can...just sayin'...
MadCityMike said…
Sending best wishes for Ben's speedy recovery and his good fortune to have a fantastic nurse! Maybe each time of taking Ben outside will give you a break from icing his leg (especially if you have him walk through deep snow)? Naaah....I couldn't even do that! ;)
Keep up the good work and fast healing!
Lisa/knitnzu said…
He needs a little sweater, or at least a scarf! I'd say a leg warmer, but I'd be scared to put it over his lovely incision.

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