This is a series of photographs documenting how Taj's leg looks as it heals over time. Please click on any photo to enlarge the image.
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| Afternoon Following Surgery |
Post surgery - the leg is still very swollen - Ouch! The pins have quite a bit of discharge. Taj will not put any weight on the leg.
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| Three Days Post Surgery |
A few days post surgery, there is still quite a bit of swelling - although not nearly as bad as the first day. Pins are still discharging regularly. Taj still will not use the leg to walk. The leg is very sensitive, Taj does not want me to touch it - especially the lower leg and paw.
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| One Week Post Surgery |
One week after surgery, Taj is starting to put weight on the leg. He will use it to help sit up and position in his pen. Very rarely will he put weight on it walking, but a tiny bit here and there. The swelling has gone down significantly, but it is still slightly swollen. The pins still discharge quite a bit.
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| Two Weeks Post Surgery |
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| Two Weeks Post Surgery |
At two weeks post surgery, the swelling has gone down significantly. You can now see the indentations in the lower leg and pastern finally! The pins are discharging, but a lot less (maybe only half the pins discharge regularly). Taj will not put weight on the leg sparingly - roughly every 4-5 steps, he will use the leg. I can begin to touch Taj's leg (especially the upper half) without him twitching or protesting.
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| Three Weeks Post Surgery |
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| Three Weeks Post Surgery |
At three weeks post surgery, Taj is using the leg even more frequently. He still hops around quite a bit, but especially inside on soft surfaces (carpet, grass), he will use the leg quite a bit. He has a limping gait when he uses the leg - maybe puts 50% weight on it. The pin sites are much cleaner and look good - only about 1/4 of the pins are discharging regularly. The swelling is a LOT less, not completely gone - but almost there!
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| Four Weeks Post Surgery |
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| Four Weeks Post Surgery |
The leg looks fantastic! The swelling is completely gone! Taj does not mind if I touch anywhere on the leg (even the paw). Taj is now regularly using the leg to walk on any surface (carpet, hardwood floor, grass, concrete, asphalt). After a while, he will start to hop again though. I still have him on Tramadol and I think that may affect whether he walks on all fours or hops on three. He will hop more in the AM and walk more in the PM. He is putting about 75% weight on it when he walks. The pin sites look good - only a couple discharge regularly (the more we move, the more discharge).
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| Eight Weeks Post Surgery |
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| Eight Weeks Post Surgery |
A lot of the hair has grown back on the leg. The swelling is still gone. Taj will let me touch the leg now anywhere (although he doesn't love his paw pads touched)! He is using the leg regularly, and will only very rarely hop around on three legs. He attempts to jump around now occasionally (which I don't let him do) and he'll attempt to get up on furniture (which I also prevent). He isn't bearing full weight on the leg yet, but I would stay still about 75-80%. I haven't noticed any huge improvements from Week 7- 9, but he is still using the leg. I only give Tramadol now as needed. There is very slight discharge occasionally from the pins - but it is very minimal.
To Come: 12 Weeks Post Surgery...
