MMP Surgery

Dogs love to run, jump and play. An orthopedic injury can put that playful spirit on hold. Similar to the ACL in humans, the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is a tough band of tissue deep within the knee joint. If the CCL ruptures or tears, the injury may cause your dog to limp or experience lameness. Damage to the cranial cruciate ligament requires expert repair.

At Indian Ridge Animal Hospital, our surgical director, Dr. Matt Mears, specializes in cruciate repair with the Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP). If you live in or near Kingsport, Tennessee, we invite you to learn more about how this specialized procedure could help your beloved pet.

What Is the Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP)?

MMP is a surgical repair of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL tear. These types of injuries cause the patient’s tibia to thrust forward when moving or even just bearing their own weight. CCL tears will not heal without surgical intervention.

MMP surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can repair a torn or ruptured CCL in your dog’s knee joint. The surgery works by redirecting the impact of the large quadriceps muscle to compensate for the injured cruciate ligament. The patellar tendon can then take over and act like a new CCL tendon.

Which Pets Can Receive MMP Surgery?

Failure of the cranial cruciate ligament is common in dogs. The Modified Maquet Procedure can treat CCL injuries while also addressing pain and immobility.

CCL tears can be caused by a sudden injury. More often, they happen gradually over time, worsening with continued use. Some signs that your dog may have an injured CCL include:

• Limping
• Lameness in hind legs
• Favoring the opposite leg
• Changes to their gait or the way they walk

MMP vs. TPLO

There are a few cruciate ligament repair options for dogs, including TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) and TTA (Tibial Tuberosity advancement). 

TPLO surgery involves cutting into the tibia bone, rotating it and adjusting its position. Bone plates and screws are then used to hold the bone graft into place. 

Although every patient is unique, there are a few reasons Dr. Mears may recommend MMP over TPLO:

• MMP is minimally invasive
• MMP only cuts the bone once instead of three times
• MMP recovery time is significantly shorter, usually four to six weeks
• MMP is usually more affordable, as it’s less time-intensive

What Does MMP Cruciate Ligament Surgery in Dogs Look Like?

The overall goal of MMP is to free the part of the tibia attached to the quadriceps muscle and redirect the force generated by these large muscles to compensate for the injured CCL. The tibia is the bone located between the knee and ankle. During MMP surgery, it’s moved forward to a 90-degree angle to the patellar tendon, allowing this tissue to take over and act in a similar way to the CCL.

The void is stabilized using an implant made from porous titanium OrthoFoam. This orthopedic implant promotes healing and accelerates bone growth. Capillaries can penetrate the OrthoFoam, reducing patient convalescence and the pain your dog experiences post-surgery. After four to six weeks, the implant fills with enough bone to stabilize the repair.

What to Expect After Treatment

To ensure your dog’s optimal healing after treatment, Dr. Mears will recommend a period of controlled activity. Although MMP tends to cause less discomfort than other procedures, the patient should not use the operated leg too much, too soon.

Running, jumping and rough play should be avoided for at least six weeks post-surgery. You’ll also want to block off access to stairs. We recommend using a leash whenever your dog is outside for at least two weeks. Following these recommendations will give the bone time to heal and reduce the risk of strain, stress fracture or implant failure.

After six weeks, X-rays should confirm that everything is healing as it should. By this time, your dog should be able to take walks for up to 30 minutes in grassy areas. After 12 weeks, your pup should be able to resume a normal level of activity.

Why Choose Dr. Mears and the Team at Indian Ridge Animal Hospital?

At Indian Ridge Animal Hospital, we continually strive to exceed the expectations of animal owners by treating their pets as if they were our own. Dr. Mears specializes in a wide variety of surgical procedures, including MMP surgical repair of CCL tears. He works to understand patients, including what makes them special and unique. If you find that your dog is struggling to walk, Dr. Mears will take the time to understand your concerns and determine the best treatment options for your beloved pet.

Schedule Your MMP Dog Surgery in Kingsport, Tennessee

If you believe that your dog has suffered a CCL tear or is struggling with chronic pain, please reach out to the team at Indian Ridge Animal Hospital. We would be happy to answer your questions or concerns and provide you with more information about MMP surgery and our other treatment options. We serve families throughout the Kingsport area and beyond. We also take referrals from other vet practices unable to offer orthopedic surgery. Contact us today to learn more.