My 2 dogs have both spent the day in the vets. My C.Spaniel had a dental treatment with the removal of just 1 tooth and my little Patt, diagnosed correctly on this forum as having Luxating Patella ( spelling!) today had the  Lateral Imbrication  op.
She is very sorry for herself but I have been told she is to have cage rest for 4 weeks. She has never been in a cage before and is very upset in the borrowed cage especially as she has a big collar on as well, it is catching on the cage and she cannot manage to move at all without getting hooked up with the collar.
Has anyone managed an op like this without the use of a cage. I think the collar will be necessary to prevent her nibbling the leg, but she is going to go mad in the cage, and probably cause more damage to her leg trying to get out, than if I let her lie in her bed that she knows and loves, and with common sense keep a close eye on her.
Any advice welcome.

The biggest danger is jumping up and down on to furniture, though of course, running about isn't good either. If you can keep her in a small room with nothing to jump up on she should be okay. I know a couple who moved their furniture out of the sitting room an dthey sat on floor cushions for the duration!

The more freedom she has to move the less successful the outcome. She can come out of the cage if you're there to stop her getting out of her bed, but don't leave her unattended with freedom to walk about for at least two weeks, when you can move her into a larger cage.

Aren't there different types of collars you can get, if it is the "lampshade" type they are not very comfortable for the dog as well as catching on things around them.

I would give her a break from the collar and the crate when you can sit with her on your lap or by your side being careful she doesn't jump down.

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Comfy-Collar/productinfo/COMFYCOLL/

This one looks slightly better.

http://www.procollars.co.uk/

If she's a little patterdale, have you considered using an inflatable armband (for swimming) instead of the collar? 

here's a picture of it in use on a bedlington terrier blog

http://bedlingtondogs.blogspot.co.uk/2007/09/phoebe-phoebe-got-in-under-pyracantha.html

What a good idea, I would never have thought of an arm band, but too late, I have just ordered the inflatable pro collar ( many thanks Rhodach) on next day delivery so it should arrive Monday. She is still very dozy, hand fed a little boiled chicken ( spaniel wolfed it down, I suppose she didn't have so much anaesthetic) I will pick her up to go outside in a minute to see if she needs a wee and then settle her back on her bed. I think I will sleep on the settee to keep her company tonight.
Roll on 4 weeks time !!!!

I had a Yorkshire Terrier done last year, and, although I didn't use a collar (I don't for anything), I have to admit that she was crated for 12 weeks. 

Thanks JeanSW, you made me realise that by not crating her I could ruin the operation and make things worse in the long term for her. I gave back the borrowed crate as I felt it was too small and restricted her movements, when I really just wanted to make sure she didn't jump around the furniture and was safe.
I got my friend to pop into Jollyeys Pet Store and buy a crate much bigger £58 ( I looked at hiring from them but it worked out so expensive it was cheaper to buy and I will always have it in the future should I need it again ) it's just over 3ft long so she has room to move around and because it is larger she seems quite happy to be in it now. I take her out for a wee every few hours and she goes back in willingly afterwards, so I am well chuffed.
Probably I could have bought cheaper but I needed it today so didn't have much choice.
I slept ( no rephrase - I laid awake) all night on the settee listening in case she started walking around, now tonight I won't have to worry as I know she won't be able to go far
This is my first ever use of a crate in all my 70+ years and must admit it does give peace of mind

I recently spoke to someone who had had patella surgery carried out on their dog.  But they stopped crating the dog after 10 days as they thought it was cruel!   GRRRR!!!   The vets work was ruined, and she wouldn't go back "in case he told her off."

I did have a large crate like yours, and she was kept in the living room, and taken out on a lead for wees.  My other dogs sleep in the kitchen.  I knew that, as she is as mad as a hatter, I needed her away from temptation.  In the evening I would have her out on my lap, but didn't allow her to jump up or down.  I was really, really strict about it.  It was definitely worth it.

I had the same operation many years ago on a Toy Poodle, and was told to restrict her for 12 weeks, so I knew it would seem forever.  However, I had her for almost 17 years, and she could do a standing jump to my shoulder well into old age.  The success rate is superb - if you do as they say!  :-)