TPLO Surgery

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) for Treatment of Ruptured Cranial Cruciate Ligament

TPLO is a very intensive procedure requiring exact precision to treat the cranial cruciate ligament injury or rupture. Our Veterinary surgeons have years of experience and are performing TPLO surgery with excellent results. We accept patients from other veterinarians across BC, Canada, and Washington (WA) state, USA. The waiting period is only few days at Marine and Fraser veterinary Clinic.  Patients are sent home on the same day after the surgery. 

CALL US: (604) 808-8387 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

What is a Ruptured Cranial cruciate ligament?

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is a structure in dog’s knee joint, that helps prevent excessive motion between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). The CCL may become injured, either from trauma or due to a dog’s natural leg conformation, resulting in a sudden or gradual tear of the cruciate ligament. A torn CCL causes the knee joint to be unstable, resulting in joint pain, inflammation, and hind leg lameness.

This initiates the development of arthritis and may damage another structure in the knee called meniscus. So, if dog is limping from back leg, it is important to investigate the cause of it before it further damages any internal structures of the knee joint. Clinical signs of Cranial cruciate ligament or CCL tear in dogs range from intermittent limping to acute/sudden complete non-weight bearing lameness in the back legs.

Can medication be used to treat a ruptured CCL?

Anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by your veterinarian may help to decrease the pain and inflammation in the knee joint. Strict cage rest and exercise restriction may allow your dog’s body to lay down scar tissue, in an effort to increase the stability of the knee. However, small breed dogs (under 4 kg) are typically more responsive to medical management of a ruptured CCL. For medium to large breed with ruptured CCL, especially active dogs, or those with other orthopedic or joint problems, TPLO surgical treatment is recommended.

What is Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)?

TPLO is a surgical procedure used to treat dogs with ruptured CCL. Developed by the late Dr. Barclay Slocum, the TPLO procedure may be performed by veterinary surgeons who have completed the TPLO training course. TPLO procedure is based on the fact that the top part of the tibia bones normally sloped, resulting in a tendency for the femur to slide back when the dog stands and puts weight on its knee. The CCL normally holds the femur in place and prevents this motion. But when the CCL has ruptured, the femur can slide back and forth along the sloped tibia, when the dog is standing or walking. The continued motion contributes to pain and degeneration in the knee joint.

Cutting a bone to treat a ligament

A solution to the knee joint instability would be to either replace the torn CCL or remove the slope in the tibia. The TPLO does the latter: after making a cut in the top part of the tibia, the surgeon rotates this segment of the bone until it is almost perpendicular to the ground. To allow the cut bone segments to heal, the tibia is then stabilized with a bone plate and screws. The result is that when your dog stands on its leg, the femur is resting on a flat tibia surface, and there is no longer the sliding motion in the knee.

Can any size of the dog have the TPLO surgery?

Newer generation TPLO plates allow surgeons to operate on all weight categories of dogs. All dogs starting from few pounds to more than hundred-pound dogs can be benefited from TPLO Surgery.

What is the hospital stay with the TPLO procedure and what follow-up visits are needed?

Dogs are usually discharged same day in the evening from our hospital following the TPLO surgery. Follow-up appointments are usually scheduled at your regular Vet hospital or at our hospital 4 days later for recheck and bandage removal, 2 weeks for recheck and skin suture removal, and in 6 weeks and 10 weeks for radiographs to assess healing of TPLO surgery. Your dog may also need weekly Cartrophen injections for 5 weeks after TPLO.

What is the expected outcome for my dog?

The success rate of TPLO surgery is extremely high, with 90-95% of dogs returning to near-normal function. We have a 95% success rate due to years of experience with the TPLO procedure. Dogs who have had TPLO surgery are typically bearing some weight on their operated leg within 3 to 5 days following surgery. Your dog will need to have his or her exercise specifically restricted while the bone is healing, usually for 8 to 12 weeks. Physical therapy, as well as gradual increase in on-lease activity, will be permitted, according to how your dog is recovering. In general, the TPLO procedure for dogs with CCL rupture is associated with a very good early return to leg use: and some research suggests that there is less leg muscle loss and slower progression of knee arthritis following TPLO procedure.

What is the approximate cost of TPLO surgery?

It depends on few factors like breed, weight, and age of the dog, if x-rays & blood test are done or not, how old is the damage, whether rehabilitation is included after TPLO surgery etc.

CALL US: (604) 808-8387 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

TPLO Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation

Keep the bandage clean and dry, and check your dog’s toes twice daily for swelling or irritation. You may remove the bandage at home in three days or sooner if it becomes soiled, wet or is bothering your dog. When the bandage is off and until the sutures are removed you should inspect the incision twice daily for signs of redness, swelling or increased pain. Contact us if any of these signs occur. Please contact us for an appointment to have the skin sutures removed in 14 days following TPLO surgery.

For 10-12 weeks following TPLO surgery, you must restrict your dog’s activity to permit normal healing. During this period the dog’s activities will be gradually increased to build muscle, stretch scar tissue and strengthen bone.

·       For the first four weeks after TPLO surgery, restrict your dog to slow walks both inside and outside the house. Running, Jumping or rough-house play should not be allowed. Be careful on slippery surfaces so your dog doesn’t slip or fall.

·       Begin with a five-minute walk, once a day, with the dog on a short lead, at the “heel” position. If the dog remains comfortable during the first 3-4 days, double the number of walks. The dog will benefit more from two, five minutes walk than a single ten minutes walk. If your dog remains comfortable and seems interested in more activity, continue double the distance, duration or frequency of the walks every 3-4 days. If the dog seems uncomfortable after a walk, reduce the distance to the level at which it was comfortable. After 3-4 days, try to double the distance.

·       After four weeks, you can begin walking your dog on a long (10-15 foot) lease. For the first few days on a long lease, cut the duration of your walk-in half. Your dog’s trotting back and forth will make-up for your shorter walk. If the dog remains comfortable, the length or frequency of walks can be doubled every 3-4 days.

·       6-8 weeks after surgery, we would like to see your dog back at Marine and Fraser veterinary Clinic for a recheck and radiographs to evaluate healing of the TPLO surgical site. If healing is progressing normally, you may start to exercise your dog off the lease. Off the lease activity should occur only after your normal long-lease walk and under your supervision. As with the lease walks, you should start with 5 minutes off lease and double the time every 3-4 days as long as your dog is comfortable. Jumping or free running with other animals or after toys should not be permitted.

·       10-12 weeks after surgery, An examination with radiographs will be needed to evaluate final healing of TPLO surgery. Instructions will then be given for returning your pet to normal activity.

Surgery Estimate

Please call us at 604-808-8387 or email at info@marineandfraservetclinic.com to get an estimate and book an appointment.