TPLO Surgery for Pets
Our surgeon has over 26 years of experience. He has performed over 1400+ TPLO surgeries and over 2,200+ other orthopaedic knee surgeries. Our vet has completed an Advanced Masters course in TPLO and Osteotomy in San Diego. Animal Medical Centre TPLO sugeries are offered at affordable rates.
What is a Ruptured Cranial Ligament?
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is a structure in your 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 dog’s natural leg conformation, resulting in a sudden or gradual tear of the 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.
What is Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)?
Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (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.
The procedure is based on the fact that the top part of the tibia bones normally sloped, resulting in tendency for the femur to slide backward 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.
What we do is, make a cut on your dog’s Tibia bone using a biradial blade saw (a half circle shape blade) and manipulate the bone into a new location using the assistance of Locking Plates and screws. This alters the shape of the Tibia Plateau and therefore eliminates the need for your dogs cruciate ligament at all.
Please note: Home care is essential for recovery.
Cutting a bone to treat a ligament
Medications used to treat a ruptured CCL
TPLO Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation
Pain Relief
We control pain and discomfort by 3 means:
- Fentanyl – Your dog will have a small clear patch on the leg where surgery has been performed. This is a *Fentanyl Patch and secretes a strong pain relief to your dog for 5 days after surgery. This is located under the bandage applied to the leg of the surgery.
- Tramadol – Opiod pain relief (may make your pet drowsy)
- Carprofen – Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
*In clinic we will use morphine, methadone and local anaesthesia throughout your pet’s stay in hospital.
To Take Home (Medications & Elizabethean Collar)
You will be given these medications to take home. Please follow the instructions on the label.
- Pain Relief: Carprofen & Tramadol
- Antibiotics: Amoxyclav
- Tranquiliser: ACP (on request)
- Elizabethean Collar (The most important tool!): Please ensure your pet is using this collar until otherwise advised by your veterinarian.
Revisiting (at Animal Medical Centre or your Regular Vet)
4-5 days post-operation
Fentanyl patch removal
10-14 days post-operation
Suture removal
6 weeks post-operation
Repeat Xrays
Earlier appointments should be made if:
- the bandage becomes wet, smelly or dirty or if the fentanyl patch becomes exposed.
- there is any puss, drainage, excessive swelling, angry redness etc.
Confinement (First 4 weeks) (100% Confinement Required)
This is the most crucial part of recovery, any excessive activity can undo all our hard work. The operated leg needs to kept as rested as possible to ensure that the bone will heal.
We suggest restricting your dog to a crate or small room like the laundry or bathroom to prevent them from excessive movement. If you do not have the means to restrict your dog to such an area we do have cages available for hire. For the anxious or hyperactive dogs, please use the tranquiliser provided.
Strictly no walking. Toilet breaks are to be kept minimal, and only on a tight controlled leash. Avoid running or jumping. We expect your dog to start using the leg within 10 days after surgery. If you get your pet home and they aren’t very confident walking with the bandage you can assist them by slinging a towel underneath their belly for support.
Walking (Week 4 onwards)
At week 4 using the tight controlled lead technique, start with 5 minutes walks in the morning and night. Each week, you may increase these walks by 5 minutes.
Example:
- Week 4: Morning – 5 min walk, Evening – 5 min walk.
- Week 5: Morning – 10 min walk, Evening – 10 min walk.
- Week 6: Morning – 15 min walk, Evening – 15 min walk.
Wound Management
The only thing protecting the wound will be you and the Elizabethean collar we provide. If the area becomes red, swollen or is secreting a discharge. Do not hesitate to call us.
Stitches are removed 14 days after surgery.
Follow Up X-Rays (6-8 weeks after surgery)
We need to see your pet back for x-rays 6 weeks after surgery. This will tell us if the bone is healed and your dog can start returning to his/her normal lifestyle. These can be done here with us, or at your regular vet. There will be additional costs for these xrays.
Activity After Post-Op X-rays
If healing is progressing normally, you may start to exercise your dog off the lead. Off lead activity should only occur under your supervision. As with leash walks, you should start with 5 minutes off lead and increase by 5 minutes every 4-5 days as long as your dog is comfortable. Jumping or running with other dogs or toys should not be permitted.
If there are any concerns
If you are unsure or worried about anything involving your dogs recovery please call us anytime on (03) 9762 2555. Our vet is on call 24 hours and will not hesitate in helping you with your dogs needs.
Your Questions Answered!
Can any size dog have the TPLO surgery?
Which procedure is best suited for my dog?
| Factors | Scores | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Age (Years) | >11 | 9-10 | 7-9 | 4-7 | <4 |
| Breed/Size | Toy/small | Small | Medium | Large | Giant |
| Weight (kgs) | <7kg | 7kg-14kg | 14kg-20kg | 20kg-32kg | >32kg |
| Lifestyle | Indoor | Indoor/backyard | confined outdoor | Acerage | Hiking/Hunting |
| Activity/Temperament | Very Quiet | Quiet | Active | Very active | Hyper active |
| Habitat | Plain | Plain/slopes | Slopes/Stairs | Hilly/stairs | Hilly/hiking |
| Duration of the Disease | Recent Acute | <10 days | 10-25 days | >25 days | >3 months |
| Other MS (Hips/elbows) abnormalities | None | Mild | moderate | Severe, But only one joint | Severe in multiple joints |
| Radiographic DJD | Very clean | No DJD | Mild DJD | Moderate DJD | Severe DJD |
| Tibia/Femur configuration/deformity | Excellent | Good | Fair | Moderately deformed | Severely deformed |
| TPA(rads) if possible (degrees) | <15 | 15-20 | 20-25 | 25-30 | >30 |
| Overall health | Very poor | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| Owner’s Compliance | Very poor | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| DVM’s Preference | Only ECR | ECR/TR/TTA | ECR/TR or TPLO/TTA | TPLO/TTA | Only TPLO |
| Total scores & procedure recommended | 14ECR | 28ECR/TR/TTA | 42TPLO/TTATR/ECR | 56TPLO/TTA | 70TPLO |
What is the expected hospital stay with the TPLO procedure and what follow-up visits are needed?
What is the expected outcome for my dog?
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 this procedure.
What is the approximate cost of TPLO surgery?
Our surgeon has had over 21 years experience and has done over 1400+ TPLO surgeries and over 2200+ orthopaedic knee surgeries.
If you want to learn more about the surgery, or to make a booking. Simply call us on (03) 9762 2555 or contact us to speak with our friendly staff.
