TPLO - Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
TPLO, or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, is a common surgery performed on dogs to stabilize the stifle (knee) joint after a tear or rupture in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) (can be compared to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans). Normally, the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) prevents backward-forward movement of the stifle joint. When it tears/ruptures, the stifle joint becomes unstable and the dog suffers lack of mobility, lameness or loss of use and is subject to chronic and progressive arthritis in the stifle if untreated.
In a TPLO procedure, the tibial plateau, the portion of the tibia adjoining the stifle (knee), is cut and rotated so that its slope changes to approximately 5 degrees from the horizontal plane, forever changing the biomechanics of the dogs movement. This prevents the femur from sliding down the slope of the plateau. It is rumored that TPLO surgery generally results in faster recovery times compared to other procedures to stabilize the knee joint. Most dogs (over 90%) are expected to regain a very active and athletic lifestyle with no post-operative complications and without the need for any pain relieving medication.
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:05 am
[...] Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) The TPLO CCL repair technique is generally recommended for larger breeds of dogs, as well as active dogs, such as [...]
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:08 am
[...] the TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) and TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) surgery options involve altering the angle in stifle [...]
June 24th, 2008 at 2:49 am
[...] involves cutting the bone to change the angle at which the knee joint rests. Learn more about cranial cruciate ligament repair through TPLO. « Lateral Fabellar Technique (Extracapsular Technique) - Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair [...]
July 7th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Hi, my name is Jennifer, i have a 6 year old golden retriever who has just had TPLO surgery, he was doing really good and started using his leg again, then one morning stopped using it again, he only uses 3 of his legs we are wondering after spending $3000 could he have ruptured his ligament again??? We have no idea how, or could it be from using it so early maybe it is the arthritis. We are very concerned and worried we do not have another $3000 to spend only for something to happen again???
July 25th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hi Jennifer -
That sounds terrible, have you taken your dog back to the vet? I’d definitely go and get a professional opinion before doing anything else.
I would be inclined to think that it didn’t rupture again, however, your veterinarian would know with far greater certainty than I ever could.
Best of luck to your family and your dog with the recovery.
August 19th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
[...] a chocolate lab, you will typically be looking at 1 of 2 knee repair procedures for larger dogs - TPLO or TTA surgery to repair the torn or ruptured cranial cruciate ligament in your dogs knee. The [...]