TPLO Info Step 6: Recovery Process
During the first eight weeks, we are completely relying on the implants (plate and screws) to stabilize the surgery site. It takes a minimum of eight weeks for bones to heal and good scar tissue to form. This process can take longer in geriatric pets or those with other systemic health conditions.
TPLO Info Step 5: Why TPLO
The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is one of the original osteotomy (bone cut) techniques and has been used in practice for over 20 years, with nearly 200 research articles published on the topic. This surgery requires making a semi-circular bone cut at the top of the tibia, which includes the weight-bearing portion of the bone, or the tibial plateau. Following osteotomy, this small section of bone is rotated to allow a reduction of the tibial plateau slope (TPS, an average of approximately 25° in dogs) to approximately 5-7°. The two segments of bone are then stabilized with a plate and screws until the bone heals. In essence, we create a fracture and stabilize the bone in a new position. By rotating the tibial plateau and “leveling” it, the goal is to prevent the femur from sliding down the slope of the tibia and helping to stabilize the knee.
TPLO Info Step 4: Treatment Options
There are both medical and surgical treatment options for patients suffering from CCLR. Medical management is sometimes considered to be more conservative than surgical treatment. It is important to understand, however, that medical management for CCLR in dogs can be very extensive and expensive. The choice to pursue surgical management may be influenced by factors such as patient size, the stage of disease, the amount of instability present, the expectations you have for your pet’s activity level/quality of life, and the presence of any other concurrent medical conditions (other orthopedic disease, severe heart disease, uncontrolled hormonal disease, cancer, etc).
TPLO Info Step 2: About ACL/CCL
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), equivalent to the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL in people, is responsible for limiting hyperextension of the stifle, limiting internal rotation of the tibia in relation to the femur, and to prevent forward sliding/drawer motion of the tibia in relation to the femur. Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is the most common cause of hind limb lameness in dogs.
TPLO Info's 6 Steps To Understand TPLO Surgery In Dogs
The 6-Steps were created to give dog owners reliable and accurate information about their dogs ACL injury and how to treat it. By going through the 6-Steps you will learn about the anatomy of the dog knee, what the ACL is and why it sometimes tears in dogs, how to diagnose an ACL tear, what the treatment options are, what TPLO is, and the recovery process.
