I Tried to Keep Her Knee Strong… Until It Blew

This Thanksgiving, I became the client I coach every week.

Makoa has favored her knees on and off for a year and a half. Just the little signs only someone who knows movement would notice, like me. A pause on the stairs. A slower sit sideways. A tiny shift of weight when running after the ball.

But then came the curly slide.

I was feeling playful. I thought it would be fun. We have gone down straight slides together and she did great. Makoa was unsure but trusted me, like she always does.

At the bottom of the slide, I noticed her back legs splayed wide. And when she stood up, she was lame on her back left.

My heart sank.

When I checked her knee, it was warm and puffy. I knew there was probably a little drawer sign, the tibia shifting, meaning the CCL was tearing.

Then I felt it: a big medial buttress, the body’s way of laying down scar tissue to protect a joint that is becoming unstable.

I have seen this hundreds of times in clients’ dogs. But this time, it was my dog.

What I Did Immediately

I shifted into rehab-tech mode. Here’s what helped calm the knee and support healing:

• Laser sessions
  • Controlled stretching
  • Muscle-building exercises from her PAWer Move routine
  • Glacier Peaks Inflammotion
• Ayourpets Hip and Joint
  Standard Process Canine Musculoskeletal
  • Standard Process Ligaplex II

And most importantly:
Zero ball play. Zero zoomies. Zero high-impact fun. What?

Makoa thinks this is silly. She feels fine. She wants to run. Ok, maybe much less rather then Zero.  We still have a play date a week and inside ball play because she needs it for your mental health.  As long as she is comfortable, being a dog is an important part.

But a dog like her high drive, big heart, strong spirit, is exactly the kind of dog who turns a partial tear into a full tear. So instead, we’re doing puzzle toys, slow mindful walks, enrichment games, and easy brain-body work.  She gets to “be Makoa” without stressing the knee.

Why I’m Sharing This

Because I want you to know something important:

If your dog is limping sometimes, you’re you need to trust that sign.
You’re noticing their body awareness.
And I am here for you both to get through this.

Even with 12 years of canine rehab experience, I missed the moment right before the injury. Well I may have had second thoughts at the top iof the slide. My adventure side was like “‘Let’s Do It!”

Your dog lives in a body that speaks quietly  until it is unable to be quiet anymore. And catching those whispers before they become a shout is how we prevent full tears, chronic pain, and long-term surgery recovery.

If Your Dog Is Limping… Please Take Action

A mild limp today becomes a torn ligament tomorrow.

If you see:

• occasional lameness
  • slowing down on walks
  • hesitation at stairs
  • sitting crooked
  • bunny-hopping at the trot

Your dog needs a plan.   Get Help Early

If you’re noticing small signs and you’re unsure what they mean, schedule a session:

• Listen to What are the best exercises to strengthen my dog’s knees?
• Book a consult with me here
  or
  • See your local canine rehab veterinarian.

Catching it early is how we protect their knees, their joy, and the years you have together.