Jackson's Story
When Jackson, the beloved dog of two longtime Arthrex employees, tore his CCL, the Arthrex Vet Systems team and TPLO Locking Plate System helped him return to an active life.
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Jackson had been part of the Scherick family for many years when an unexpected injury threatened his comfort. Scott and Kate turned to Arthrex Vet Systems and RandyDominguez, DVM, trusting the same innovation they had supported throughout their careers.
An Unexpected Accident Leads To TPLO Surgery
“I was walking Jax in our neighborhood, and he walked over an in-ground electrical box with a loose cover, and his leg fell through,” Kate said. “He jumped out but started limping, and I knew something was wrong.”
Hoping it was only a minor injury, the Schericks gave it a few days, but Jackson’s limp didn’t improve.
Symptoms of a Torn CCL
Limping is one common sign of a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). Other symptoms can include:
- Toe‑touching: lightly resting the paw on the ground instead of putting full weight on it
- Struggling to stand up or lie down
- Difficulty with stairs or jumping onto furniture
- Swelling around the knee
- Sitting with the injured leg sticking out to the side
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, like Jackson did, a veterinary exam is the next important step.
Diagnosed With a Torn CCL
When Jackson still wasn’t improving, Scott reached out to the Arthrex Vet Systems team for advice and shared a video with Vet Sales Representative Doug Tollett.
Doug consulted Randy Dominguez, DVM, a Miami-based veterinarian who specializes in orthopedic surgery. After reviewing the video, Dr. Dominguez immediately recognized signs of a CCL tear—the canine equivalent of a human ACL injury. Jackson would need knee surgery to regain comfortable movement.
TPLO Surgery Helps Beloved Pet
Dr. Dominguez scheduled Jackson for surgery using the Arthrex TPLO Locking Plate System.
“Jackson had a full tear with mild-to-moderate arthritis in the joint at the time of his surgery,” said Dr. Dominguez. He began the procedure with a small camera evaluation (arthroscopy) to assess the knee’s condition.
TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery changes the angle of the top of the shinbone so the knee becomes stable again after a torn CCL. This helps reduce pain and allows dogs to stand and walk more comfortably.
After adjusting the bone angle, Dr. Dominguez secured the knee using an Arthrex TPLO locking plate and screws.
“This is definitely the best option for injuries like this,” Dr. Dominguez explained. “The surgery outcome was excellent, and Jackson’s prognosis is good to excellent.”
Recovery and Return to Comfort After TPLO Surgery
Because Jackson was an older dog, the Schericks were worried about surgery—but trusted Dr. Dominguez and the Arthrex Vet Systems products they knew so well.
“Our dogs are our kids, and we just lost our other dog, Brooklyn, last year,” Kate said.
“Before I married Scott, it was just Jax and me living together at one point, so we have quite a bond.”
Scott and Kate handled Jackson’s recovery at home, carefully following his rehab plan.
Within two months, he was back on his feet—and back to being himself.
“We like to say he went from crate to great,” Scott said. “We’re just so thankful that the Arthrex Vet Systems team was there for us and helped make this process as easy as possible.”
