SubscribeCost of TTA Surgery for Cranial Cruciate Ligament – Cost of Knee Surgery for Dogs
If your dog has suffered a torn or ruptured cranial cruciate ligament injury, you may be starting to look for surgical options and you’re probably also starting to wonder about the cost. Most knee surgeries in dogs can cost as low as $800 all the way up to $3,000+.
The cost to repair the CCL in a dog (equivalent of an ACL in humans), will fluctuate based on the state that you live in, the experience of the surgeon, the weight of the dog, the invasiveness & complication level of the surgery, etc.
Through my experience, and from talking to a few of my friends whose dogs had cranial cruciate ligament repair surgeries, I believe that you should expect to spend somewhere in the range of $1,500. You may end up paying a little more or less depending on the above criteria, but go in expecting somewhere around $1,500.
Don’t forget about the “hidden” costs of a cranial cruciate ligament repair surgery.
Related Posts
- Cost of TPLO Surgery – Cost to Repair Torn Cruciate Ligament in Dogs
- Tightrope Surgery in the Treatment of a Dogs Torn Cranial Cruciate Ligament
- Hidden Costs and Unexpected Costs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair in Dogs
- Dog Knee Surgery Costs – Cost of Repairing a Torn Dog Knee Ligament
- Cost of Dog Knee Surgery – Are There Options to Reduce the Cost?
[...] These costs aren’t necessarily “hidden” costs per-se, but they are definitely costs that you will incur that aren’t always talked about and mentioned when reading about the cost of a TPLO surgery in dogs, or the cost of a TTA surgery in dogs. [...]
[...] that you choose will be the biggest factor in determining cost. Here are some common types: TPLO, TTA, and Lateral Fabellar [...]
what surgery is the best for a total torn cruciate ligament in a playful 5 yr old golden retriever weighing 88 lbs? cost doesnt matter
I’ve heard many people say that TPLO is the best for dogs weighing over 75lbs, but it’s always best to get the opinion of your veterinarian (or multiple opinions) as each case is different and should be treated as such. It’s impossible to tell which option will be the best until your specific case has been diagnosed by a professional.
My 11-yr old Bichon had knee surgery on her left knee 2 yrs. ago and now has a CCL injury from just losing her footing as we walked on rocks (few lawns in the desert). Vet suggests conservative rest, anti-inflammatory meds, etc. for 4 wks then will evaluate. My question is really a concern about another operation on the same knee and the added risk of anesthesia at her age. Just took her in for dental work – they had to remove 15 teeth – very traumatic. I ordered a special harness from Handicapped Pets site – supports her back legs with a leash attached so I can take her for potty breaks. This is all very discouraging, not to mention the vet costs! Any words of encouragement from those who opted not to have surgery? Can these ligaments heal themselves?
Hi Rosanne -
That’s terrible, sorry to hear about your dog. Your vets suggestion of conservative treatment for 4 weeks sounds like what doctors do for people who suffer a torn ACL. They usually like to give it a few weeks for swelling to go down and for flexibility and mobility to return. It may get to the point to where your dog could use the leg (though probably not very actively), but that’s only something your vet would be able to tell.
Best of luck!
My 85lb lab had TPLO surgery 2 years ago. She did excellent. Now her other knee needs surgery. I talked to a vet and he is mentioning TTA is just as good and can be done on dogs up to 120lb’s. It is half the cost. I am still researching the TTA. I just want something that will last.
Hi Keri -
Thanks for the question, I’m hoping that someone who is familiar with TPLO/TTA will answer as we had the traditional repair done on our dog.
Either way, best of luck, and I hope you’ll return to this site and share your story with us.
Thanks!
TPLO and TTA are generally regarded as surgeries that are superior to extracapsular techniques that have been the standard for years. This is especially so for larger dogs (>50lbs) The difference is small but statistically significant. Both TTA and TPLO are generally considered to have equal results and individual success rates are mostly equivalent to the experience of the surgeon. That is to say better results are achieved with the surgery that the surgeon is most comfortable doing. There are some very specific reasons why a surgeon may choose one surgery over the other but that is probably too complex for this forum. While TTA is a bit less expensive than TPLO, they are both very expensive and the price differential is in my opinion too small to base your decision on, especially at these pricing levels. What is another 5-6 hundred anyway when you are spending so much.
Do what your surgeon recommends if you trust him/her.
Thanks for your input Dr. Sam. Out of curiosity, are you a valetudinarian? Either way, I appreciate your note, and I hope that it helps others.
Thanks again!
the vet thinks my dog (60#)has a cranial cruciate ligament rupture. he limps, but is weight bareing on the foot. and he flys around the backyard when the mailman goes by or another dog. I mean flys, then he’ll lay and rest and limp. but still weight bares. do u think he’s in pain? should I go on with the visits to the vet and the bills, or just wait and see? please help, I just bare the thought of him in pain. thanks, jeff
Hi Jeff –
If he limps, there is definitely something going on in there. You may want to try some sort of conservative management for a week or two to see if anything gets better, this will have to include restricting activity, especially not allowing him to run around when the mailman goes by. Crating the dog for a week or two would be best, and strictly limiting movement and activity when out for bathroom breaks, etc.
I hope this information helps. Please let us know what happens with your dog.
My 3.5 lb chihuahua just had her yearly exam and the vet told me both of her knees were dislocated and he even showed me how they pop back and forth out of socket. But i don’t know if the ligaments are torn yet. She is getting ready to have some extensive dental work done and a hernia repaired and I’m wondering if this ligament problem should be fixed as well while she’s under anesteshia. She’s 5 years old and I don’t want her to be in too much pain at one time. Any advice?
Wow Shameka -
That’s a lot of different problems. I wouldn’t even know where to start, I’d consult your vet and see what he/she recommends as far as repairing the knees (if they even need repair).
Best of luck to you & your dog.
Hi Shameka,
It sounds like your dog has luxated patella of both knees. That is
where the kneecap will pop in & out of the groove of the knee joint.
My Beagle had this on her right leg and there was no torn ligaments.
She had surgery to repair it which required deepening the groove
of the knee joint and placing a pin to secure it. The surgery was
very successful and she has not had a problem since then. I know that
our dog was in pain when the knee joint was out of place. If I was
you I’d talk to your Vet about the luxating patella’s and see if
he recommends surgery for it. It sounds like it is needed, otherwise
she will develop other problems such as arthritis and possibly the
ruptured ligaments in the future. I hope your pup is doing well and
will be in the future.
Josi
I was wondering if you know of a University in the DC area that might do TPLO surgery as a training for the students. A friend who had a Rotts hip replaced years ago through a school and all was fine. Also a little cheaper.
Thanks for the web site. I have found it very informative.
Jim
Hi Jim -
As of right now, I don’t have a listing of any Universities (or surgeons for that matter) that do TPLO, TTA or Tightrope surgery. This is an area that I definitely want to add to the site, so if you have any resources that you could recommend, I’d love to be able to offer that information as well.
Glad you found this site and found it informative. Thanks for your comments.
my lab mix dog wweighed 65 lbs at age 8 and tore her ccl while chasing a fox…
being a new york state licensed vet tech in my first career
i decided to call up my friend, dr lou budick.
i drove up to buffalo and we did the old fashioned “figure 8″ to
promote capsulitis of the knee joint.
i am a mri tech for humans at an orthopedic office in philly now; it has been 5 years and she is doing great. she’s 13 so she is slow now and the only disadvantage is that her knee tuns laterally a bit while walking.
stick with a vet that performs many orthopedic procedures and everything will be ok…remember once a body part is damaged or injured it will never be 100%..and don’t trust anyone who tells you differently..good luck
Hi Julie, thanks for the comments. We notice the same thing with our dog, the lateral turn out of the knee, but it doesn’t stop her from running and playing. She gets around great and we couldn’t be happier!
Thanks again!
My mixed breed, was recently diagnosed with both knees having cruciate ligaments completly torn. The vet says its been too long to have surgery. but we only just started noticing her limp on her left,off and on; about three months ago and for awhile she was better.
She wieghs 65lbs. the vet says to loose 3 lbs and pain meds are her only option. We feel so bad that we did not take her to the vet earlier but thought it was just a muscle strain. Is it really to late for a repair?
My Pomeranian had knee surgery 3 weeks (and one day) ago and seemed to be recovering well enough: after a week walking pretty well using all four, continuing to use only 3 when walking or trotting faster (with an occasional touchdown of the repaired hind leg). He gets and enjoys a daily walk around a two-block circle. I have done a bit of so-called “figure eight training” but it just seemed to confuse my dog. Now, however, I’m wondering whether to just wait a bit longer or get in more “figure 8″ stuff. Problem: Cisco weighs around 12 lbs and I don’t know exactly how to do the “figure 8″ — tight circles? – - loose and increasing tight? Any suggestions?
Thanks, Richard
Hi Richard -
I can’t believe you’re already walking the dog around. We had our dog restricted with no activity with close to 3 months. Only time it was out was to use the bathroom and that was on a very tight leash. It could be because your dog is a small breed. I personally have never heard of the figure 8, but it does make sense from a conditioning/strengthening standpoint. I’d just consult your vet on anything/everything that you’re doing prior to doing it if it wasn’t something that was directly recommended by your vet.
We just rescued a chihuahua that was in a very abusive home. She limped occasionally but never acted like she was in pain so we weren’t too worried about it. She is totally in love & obsessed with me & follows me everywhere. This weekend she went to jump on the couch to sit by me & in mid jump just fell backwards screaming & crying horribly. She acted paralyzed in her backend for a while. She started walking after a few minutes but you could tell it was painful & she was limping on her other leg now. I took her to the vet the next morning & he took x-rays which showed she has luxated patella of both knees & she tore a ligament when she jumped on the couch. She needs surgery to walk again without pain. We are going in for surgery in two days & trying desperately to collect the almost $1000 fee. Something you don’t have lying around for unexpected dog surgery, especially these days. So, we’re only doing the knee with the torn ligament for now. He will put her kneecap where it belongs & repair the ligament. We will worry about the other knee when she & our bank account recovers. He said she will need 6 weeks to recover with no running & jumping. This will be difficult since I have 5 dogs, all rescued from bad places or the street. They love to run, play & jump…as a pack. Don’t know how I’m gonna do this. I’ve been carrying her everywhere but can’t do it 24/7. Just hope all goes well. Worried about my little Metoo. She’s a sweetie who is finally learning to trust & love again.
Hi Stacye, sorry to here about your dog. That’s tough, and will be tough to keep her inactive, especially with other dogs around. I’d have to recommend a crate to keep her immobile. Otherwise, if given the space, she will probably try to run & jump. If you do crate her, just try to spend time with her as often as possible because its important for the dog to know that they didn’t do anything wrong.
Best of luck with the surgery and the recovery. Please let us know how it goes.
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