Running Partner Gets Knee Surgery

Henry "The Dawg a Dawg" Thompson had knee surgery on July 16.  He tore his cranial cruciate ligament in his  right rear knee in late June.  The injury is similar to a human having an anterior cruciate ligament tear.  The surgical options are Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) and Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO).  Both surgeries aim at correcting the movment of the tibia in the knee joint caused by the tear of the ligament.  He was good candidate for TTA, and had surgery at the Cottage Grove Animal Hospital the Friday I left for New York City Triathlon.  Henry got a titanium plate, band and screws to hold his knee together.  It's a good thing I won some money at NYC Triathlon.

Now seventeen days into recovery his 8 week recovery, he making excellent progress.  The incision is healing nicely.  He got his stitches out 5 days ago and no longer has to wear the dreaded "cone of shame."   Henry will be able to swim this coming Friday in a pool.  This is a big mile stone for Henry because he has not been able to do any exercise besides short walks to use the facilities.  He spends most of his time in his kennel on the porch sleeping with one eye open.

Mile Stones Achieved

• Off narcotic pain medicine (Narcotics make Herny whine and prevent Hannah from sleeping)
• Pink cast removal
• 3 short walks a day
• No more cone
• Stitches removed

Mile Stones to come

• Swimming in a pool (He has to be lowered in - no running or jumping)
• Long walks and free range of the house including stairs
• Dog park
• Wresting with Sparky and 60 tempo runs