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CVETS Surgery Services
TPLO Surgery
TPLO surgery is used to treat most cranial cruciate ligament injuries. Our expertise and precision helps ensure for your dog’s full recovery.
What is a Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury?
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is one of the major ligaments in a dog’s knee joint, similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans.
A cranial cruciate ligament injury, also known as a CCL tear or rupture, is a common orthopedic injury in dogs, particularly in larger breeds or those with certain anatomical predispositions.
What are some symptoms of a CCL Injury?
This injury can appear suddenly, such as a sudden twist or turn, or it can develop gradually over time due to degeneration of the ligament.
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Limping
- Pain
- Reluctance to exercise
- Instability
- knee swelling
How the Procedure Works
Often, the best course of treatment for a Cranial Cruciate Ligament injury is surgery - specifically the TPLO surgery.
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery is a common procedure used to treat cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries in dogs, particularly in larger breeds or those with active lifestyles.
During TPLO surgery, the surgeon alters the angle of the top portion of the tibia (the shin bone) to stabilize the knee joint and compensate for the lack of support from the torn ligament.
The procedure involves making a curved cut in the tibia and rotating the top portion of the bone to achieve a level plateau.
This alteration changes the mechanics of the knee joint, removing the need for the cranial cruciate ligament and providing stability during weight-bearing activities.
After the bone is repositioned, it is stabilized using specialized implants such as plates and screws.
Over time, the bone heals in its new position, creating a stable knee joint that allows the dog to bear weight and move more comfortably.
The recovery process for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery typically involves several stages, each crucial for the successful healing and rehabilitation of your dog’s knee joint:TPLO surgery aims to restore stability to the knee joint, alleviate pain, and prevent the progression of arthritis.
It typically results in a faster recovery than other surgical techniques, allowing dogs to return to normal activities more quickly.
Aftercare & Recovery
The recovery process for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery typically involves several stages, each crucial for the successful healing and rehabilitation of your dog’s knee joint:
Following TPLO surgery, your dog will likely stay one night at CVETS for monitoring and initial pain management. A customized recovery plan including necessary clinical treatments will be provided.
In the first few weeks after surgery rest is essential to allow the surgical site to heal properly. This means limiting activity to short leash walks for bathroom breaks only and preventing jumping, running, and rough play.
CVETS orthopedic surgeons may also recommend physical therapy exercises to help strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee joint, improve the range of motion and speed healing.
All patients are rechecked at two weeks and eight weeks following surgery before being allowed to return to regular activity.
Fixed Pricing
At CVETS, we understand the financial challenges involved in treating a CCL injury, particularly with TPLO surgery costs.
To make care more accessible and straightforward, we’ve introduced a comprehensive fixed pricing of $4000 covering everything from the initial examination to surgery and follow-up visits.
*Additional cost may be present for patients requiring additional anesthesia screening or nonstandard implants. This will be discussed at your consultation.*
We want to make your treatment as affordable as possible! For your convenience, we partner with several trusted healthcare financing providers—including CareCredit, ScratchPay, and Cherry—to offer flexible, patient-friendly payment plans.
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