Dog TPLO
in Bannockburn, IL
When your dog suddenly starts limping after a jump, holds up a back leg, or seems stiff after play, a cranial cruciate ligament injury may be the reason. Similar to an ACL tear in people, a cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL, tear can cause knee instability, pain, inflammation, and progressive arthritis.
Veterinary Specialty Center in Bannockburn, IL provides dog TPLO surgery for dogs with partial or complete CCL tears. Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, commonly called TPLO, is an advanced orthopedic surgery designed to stabilize the knee, reduce pain, and help dogs return to more comfortable movement.
What Is TPLO Surgery for Dogs?
TPLO is a surgical procedure used to treat cranial cruciate ligament tears in dogs. Instead of replacing the torn ligament, TPLO changes the biomechanics of the knee so the joint can remain stable without relying on the damaged CCL.
The procedure involves changing the angle of the tibial plateau, which is the top portion of the shin bone. Once repositioned, the bone is secured with a specialized plate and screws while it heals. This creates a more stable knee during weight-bearing and helps reduce the sliding motion that causes pain and inflammation.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tears in Dogs
The cranial cruciate ligament is one of the main stabilizing structures in your dog’s knee. When the CCL partially or fully tears, the knee becomes unstable. This can make walking painful and may lead to swelling, inflammation, meniscal injury, and osteoarthritis over time.
CCL tears are among the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs. Some happen suddenly after a jump, twist, or rough play. Others develop gradually as the ligament weakens from natural wear, body structure, genetics, weight, or activity level.
Signs of a CCL tear may include:
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Limping or holding up one back leg
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Swelling or tenderness around the knee
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Stiffness after rest or exercise
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Trouble rising, jumping, running, or climbing stairs
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Sitting with one leg extended out to the side
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Reduced interest in walks or play
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Sudden pain after activity
CCL tears are especially common in medium and large breed dogs, active dogs, and dogs who put repeated stress on their joints.
Why a TPLO May Be Recommended for Your Dog
TPLO surgery may be recommended for dogs with partial or complete CCL tears, especially when the injury causes ongoing pain, lameness, or instability. While some smaller or less active dogs may be candidates for non-surgical management, many dogs benefit from the durable stability TPLO provides.
Your veterinary surgeon may recommend TPLO if your dog is:
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Large or Active
Larger dogs and active dogs often place more force on the knee joint. TPLO can provide long-term stability that supports a return to walking, running, playing, and daily activities after recovery.
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Still Limping After Conservative Care
Rest, medication, weight management, or rehabilitation may help some dogs, but they do not repair the torn ligament. If your dog remains painful or lame, surgery may offer a better path to improved comfort and function.
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At Risk for Long-Term Joint Damage
An unstable knee can place added stress on the meniscus and joint cartilage. TPLO helps stabilize the knee, which may reduce further joint damage and slow the progression of arthritis.
Planning for TPLO Surgery
Before recommending TPLO surgery, your dog’s care team will perform an orthopedic evaluation to assess pain, range of motion, swelling, and knee stability. Your dog may also need diagnostic imaging to evaluate the knee structure, check for arthritis, and plan surgery.
A TPLO evaluation may include:
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Orthopedic Examination
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Gait Assessment
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Sedated Radiographs
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Evaluation for Meniscal Injury
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Pre-Anesthetic Blood Work
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Review of your dog’s age, breed, health, and activity level
This workup helps the surgical team confirm the diagnosis, assess surgical risk, and create a treatment plan for your dog.
TPLO Procedure
TPLO surgery is designed to restore functional stability to the knee without depending on the torn cranial cruciate ligament. The procedure changes the angle of the tibia so the femur no longer slides abnormally during weight-bearing.
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Preparing the Knee Joint:
Our surgical team makes a small incision over the knee joint, allowing us to carefully examine the area to confirm the extent of CCL damage. Any damaged or inflamed tissue around the joint is also addressed, which may include removing any torn ligament fragments and treating meniscal tears (a common complication in CCL injuries).
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Shaping the Tibial Plateau:
The tibia (shin bone) has a natural slope that, without an intact CCL, causes the femur (thigh bone) to slide backward during weight-bearing. To correct this, our surgeon makes a precisely measured, semi-circular cut in the top part of the tibia, allowing us to rotate the tibial plateau, changing the angle of the bone so it becomes level and stable when your dog bears weight.
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Securing the Adjustment:
Once the tibial plateau is repositioned, it is stabilized with a specialized bone plate and screws. This hardware holds the bone in its new alignment as it heals, allowing the knee to function stably without needing the original CCL for support.
TPLO surgery is designed to change the biomechanics of your dog’s knee so that even without the CCL, the joint remains stable and functional. This approach minimizes the risk of future joint damage, helps slow the progression of arthritis, and significantly improves your dog’s long-term comfort and mobility.
What Makes TPLO Different from Other CCL Surgeries?
Several surgical techniques may be used to treat CCL injuries in dogs. TPLO is often recommended for larger, stronger, or more active dogs because it changes the mechanics of the knee rather than relying on a replacement ligament or external stabilizing structure.
This approach can provide strong, long-term stability for many dogs, reduce the risk of future joint damage, and slow the progression of arthritis. Your surgeon will explain why TPLO may be preferred over other options based on your dog’s size, anatomy, activity level, and injury severity.
What to Expect After Your Dog’s TPLO Surgery
Recovery from TPLO surgery takes time, structure, and close attention at home. Most dogs begin placing some weight on the leg within days, but the bone needs weeks to heal before normal activity can resume.
Your dog’s TPLO recovery plan may include:
- Pain management
- Incision monitoring
- Icing during the early recovery period
- Leash-only bathroom breaks
- Strict activity restriction
- Passive range-of-motion exercises when recommended
- Assistance getting outside for elimination
- Follow-up exams and imaging
- Gradual return to controlled activity
At Veterinary Specialty Center, we provide customized TPLO aftercare programs designed to support safe healing and a steady return to mobility. Our TPLO aftercare resources include helpful videos for postoperative care, including icing, passive range-of-motion exercises, and assisting your dog outside.
TPLO Prognosis for Dogs
TPLO surgery has a high success rate in dogs. Most dogs experience a significant reduction in pain and return to normal or near-normal activity after recovery. More than 90% of dogs regain full or near-full function in the affected leg.
TPLO can also help slow arthritis progression by stabilizing the knee. However, dogs with a CCL tear already have a higher risk of developing arthritis in that joint over time. Long-term weight management, consistent conditioning, and appropriate activity can help protect your dog’s comfort and mobility.
Dogs who tear one CCL also have an increased risk of tearing the CCL in the other knee. This may be related to genetics, body structure, weight, and activity level.
Is TPLO Right for Your Dog?
TPLO may be a good option if your dog has a partial or complete CCL tear, especially if they are medium to large, active, painful, or still limping despite conservative care. The best treatment depends on your dog’s age, size, anatomy, activity level, health, and the degree of knee instability.
Your veterinary surgeon will review your dog’s condition and explain whether TPLO, another surgical option, or non-surgical management is the best choice.