Winter
A Case of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury and Disease: Restoring Mobility Without Surgery
Meet Winter, a 7-year-old White German Shepherd who came to us seeking relief from ongoing mobility issues related to a suspected cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in his right rear limb. Winter had been struggling with lameness for several years before his first visit, with signs of discomfort appearing 2–3 years prior. Despite initial conservative management, his condition gradually worsened, leading to a decline in mobility and prompting his family to seek further help.
When we first met him, Winter had significant difficulty with basic movements like walking, running, and even getting up or lying down. Though he was taking Galliprant—a medication commonly used for osteoarthritis-related pain—he remained uncomfortable and unable to perform everyday tasks, like jumping onto his bed. After a thorough evaluation, our doctor diagnosed suspected bilateral cruciate disease and significant discomfort, including low back pain likely stemming from compensatory movement.
To help Winter regain comfort and function, we implemented a personalized treatment plan combining rehabilitation and acupuncture. Rehabilitation focused on strengthening muscles, improving range of motion, and stabilizing joints, while acupuncture targeted pain relief, reduced inflammation, and encouraged healing.
Winter responded quickly. By his third visit, he was already placing about 30% more weight on his right rear leg. Over the next several sessions, his progress continued. By his eighth visit, he was doing things he hadn’t done in years—like jumping onto the bar or table.
Winter’s story highlights the power of integrative, individualized therapies in helping pets regain mobility and comfort—especially when surgery isn’t an option. His family is thrilled with his progress and continues his rehab at home with renewed hope and confidence.
Watch Winter’s progress in the videos below. If your pet is facing similar mobility challenges, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how our innovative therapies can support your pet’s journey to better health.
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Here in Winter’s first visit, you can see that he’s avoiding sitting down, which could indicate discomfort in his lower back or knees, or both. When he does sit, he’s unable to sit squarely, suggesting possible mobility issues in his right rear limb.
At our fourth session one month later, Winter is now more comfortable and quicker to sit, but still shifts weight to avoid full pressure on his knees, showing some persistent discomfort.
Here almost 6 weeks after his initial consultation, Winter can sit down much more comfortably and in a more balanced, square position, even at ground level (something he previously struggled with). He’s showing overall improvements in comfort and mobility.
Here is Winter one month after his previous acupuncture session. A little over 3 months since his initial visit, we were able to reduce the frequency of his treatments while continuing to see significant improvements! You can see Winter confidently and quickly sitting without hesitation. His progress reflects increased comfort and stability with sitting and moving!
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