It’s not uncommon for dogs to experience knee injuries. Their knees contain a caudal cruciate ligament and a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which function very similarly to a human’s ACL. In short, they’re essential for your dog to walk comfortably and pain free. A rupture of the CCL is one of the most common causes of lameness in a dog’s hindlegs, and many veterinarians recommend tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for dogs to treat it.
What is TPLO Surgery?
This is a surgical treatment that is used to stabilise the stifle joint after the CCL has ruptured. Once it has started to tear, the CCL cannot heal on its own and it also cannot be replaced with a graft, so surgery is the only option to permanently ‘fix’ the instability caused by the rupture.
The TPLO procedure involves the tibia being cut at the top, rotated, and stabilised in a new position using a bone plate and screws. This changes the dynamic movement between the bones of the knee to counter the loss of the CCL. The procedure has been shown to have great success and even large, athletic dogs will go on to live a full and active life.
Why is TPLO Surgery for Dogs Important?
When the CCL is ruptured, the tibia will slide forward relative to the femur (known as a positive drawer motion). Most dogs that experience a CCL injury cannot walk normally and are in a lot of pain, plus the resulting instability can damage the cartilage and surrounding bones (leading to osteoarthritis).
Symptoms of a torn CCL include:
Surgery is generally recommended fairly quickly, as this will ensure the best chance at reducing permanent, irreversible joint damage, as well as relieve your dog’s pain. It will also lessen the level of arthritis they develop.
Many owners are concerned with TPLO surgery cost, but rest assured that most veterinary hospitals are committed to offering more affordable prices to ensure that dogs have access to the treatment they need.
What if I Don’t Do TPLO?
Most dogs will not do well without surgical stabilisation. There used to be a belief that smaller or inactive dogs would be okay without surgery, but time has shown us that this is incorrect – if your dog uses his or her legs at all, they will benefit from TPLO.
Not having surgery ultimately means more advanced arthritis, pain, and inflammation. Your dog’s muscles will atrophy and their knee will thicken with scar tissue. They’ll start to shift their weight to their forelimbs, which places excessive pressure on their elbows, shoulders, and wrist joints. This can agitate arthritic conditions that were previously minor, as well as lead to muscle strains. Your dog will become less active and will often appear ‘old’.
Is TPLO the Only Option?
There is another option, known as a lateral suture. This involves a suture (usually a strong nylon, similar to fishing line) being placed around the outside of the joint to hold the bones together and prevent them from shifting.
The problem with this surgery, particularly when it comes to large dogs, is that they place a lot of force on the nylon so it tends to break and fail. Studies have also shown that dogs tend to be in more pain after this procedure and will develop more severe long-term arthritis. This is why many veterinarians don’t even offer this surgery anymore.
After TPLO surgery for dogs, your pet will be able to return to their previous activity in the vast majority of cases. You will see them improve up to 6 months after the procedure, as this is how long it takes for the swelling to improve and for them to regain their muscle strength. Even with the arthritis (which all dogs develop after a CCL due to inflammation), they will only have the odd stiff day and will be able to shake it off quickly.
