Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

What is a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy?

A TPLO is a method to repair a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in a dog. A CCL tear in the dog is similar to an ACL tear in people. It can be an abrupt tear during trauma or some other strenuous activity as often occurs in people. However, it can also be a slow deterioration of the ligament over weeks or months, potentially affecting both knees (also known as stifles). Following a CCL tear, the limp is usually quite severe. While some improvement may occur with time, surgery is the best method of treatment for a dog with a CCL tear.

Over the past 30 years, numerous surgical techniques have been developed. The TPLO method has been a very popular surgical repair for the past several years. The TPLO is usually the best option for large breed dogs but is also a good option for moderate and small breeds, especially if a full return to an active lifestyle is desired. For the TPLO surgery, we change the angle of the tibia (the bone below the stifle), so the ligament is no longer needed, unlike the human procedure where the ligament is repaired.

What is the aftercare?

Strict rest is required following surgery to allow for proper healing of the tibia and the surrounding soft tissues. Initially, there should be no running, jumping, or playing. After the first month of strict rest, a gradual introduction of controlled activity is performed until 3 month following surgery. Physical therapy is also performed to improve the speed of healing. In the weeks following surgery, X-rays are taken to assess healing of the tibia.

Are there any Risks or Complications?

Most complications following TPLO are minor in nature. With some minor complications, additional medications or other forms of physical therapy may be required. Major complications, those requiring additional surgery, are not very common. As long as the activity restrictions we provide are adhered to, the chance that additional surgery will be needed is low.



Can the leg be re-injured following surgery?

After the healing is complete, it is rare for problems to develop. In fact, TPLO is occasionally performed when other methods of repair have not returned dogs to good use of the leg.


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