ACL Injury In Dogs
Conservative Rehabilitation for Cruciate Injury in Dogs with Partial Tears and Non-Surgical Management Plans
Understanding ACL Injury in Dogs
An ACL injury in dogs refers to damage to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)—the primary stabiliser of the stifle (knee) joint. Although “ACL” is technically a human term, it’s commonly used by dog owners when referring to this injury. A partial or complete CCL tear results in joint instability, leading to discomfort, inflammation, altered limb loading, progressive joint degeneration and arthritis.
These injuries are often degenerative in nature and may occur without a single traumatic event. Dogs with ACL injuries typically present with hindlimb lameness, stiffness after rest, difficulty rising, or reluctance to bear weight during activity. Over time, instability can lead to meniscal injury, quadriceps disuse, and secondary musculoskeletal strain.
While surgery is commonly recommended, conservative management is a valid approach for many dogs—especially small to medium-sized breeds, older dogs, or those with surgical contraindications. In these cases, rehabilitation plays a central role in restoring function and maintaining quality of life.
For dogs undergoing surgical repair, see our page on cruciate ligament surgery rehabilitation to learn more about post-operative rehab.
Why Conservative Management Requires Structured Rehabilitation
Conservative care is not simply “rest and wait”. Without a structured rehabilitation program, joint instability often leads to abnormal gait patterns, compensatory overuse of other limbs, progressive muscle atrophy, and early onset osteoarthritis. While rest alone may reduce acute inflammation, it does not restore function, rebuild strength, or address the biomechanical deficits caused by cruciate injury.
Structured rehabilitation is essential to restore dynamic joint stability through targeted muscle strengthening—particularly of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip stabilisers. These muscles play a compensatory role in stabilising the stifle joint when the cranial cruciate ligament is compromised. Progressive loading and neuromuscular retraining help improve proprioception, limb awareness, and coordination, which are often diminished following injury.
Rehabilitation also helps prevent secondary complications such as spinal strain, pelvic asymmetry, or overloading of the contralateral hindlimb, which is at increased risk of subsequent cruciate injury. Through active, staged intervention, dogs learn to move more confidently and correctly, reducing long-term stress on the joint and supporting better functional outcomes.
In short, a structured program is not just supportive—it is central to effective conservative treatment of cruciate injury. It ensures progress is measurable, safe, and clinically guided at every stage of recovery.
Rehabilitation for ACL Injury in Dogs
Conservative management of ACL injury in dogs requires a structured, progressive rehabilitation plan to restore stifle function, reduce pain, and support long-term mobility. Programs are tailored to each dog’s size, age, clinical presentation, and stage of recovery.
Conservative cruciate rehabilitation may include:
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Manual therapy to reduce periarticular tension, address soft tissue imbalances, and improve joint range
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Therapeutic exercise to strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip stabilisers, enhancing stifle support
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Laser therapy (PBMT) to reduce inflammation, manage pain, and support tissue repair
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Balance and proprioceptive training to improve limb awareness, weight distribution, and gait stability
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Home exercise programs to reinforce therapy between sessions and build consistency
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Owner education on safe movement, environmental adjustments, and long-term activity planning
This non-surgical management pathway is designed to improve function, reduce compensatory strain, and maintain comfort for dogs with partial cruciate tears.
For rehabilitation following surgical repair, visit our page on post-surgical cruciate rehabilitation.