TPLO Surgery 101: for Pet Owners

If you have a dog (especially a large dog), you’ve probably heard that dogs are prone to knee injuries. You may have heard the terms CCL or TPLO surgery thrown around. If you haven’t–here’s a quick run-down of what those words mean and why they’re important when we discuss canine knee injuries:

• CCL: The cranial cruciate ligament is in the knee joint, and similar to an ACL in humans. CCL injuries are common in overweight, older, and large breeds of dogs. CCL injuries may also result from slips and falls, or sporting injuries in canine athletes.
   

• TPLO Surgery: Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery involves repositioning the tibia to shift the forces on the knee to eliminate instability caused by the injury.  

Just like with humans, dogs can experience full or partial CCL tears. In either case, surgery is recommended.  

Preventing Knee Injuries

Whether your dog is a canine athlete or a “walk in the park warrior” these tips can help you prevent injury:

• Don’t overdo it with your puppy. It’s a common misconception that running them hard will work off their youthful energy. An injury sustained as a puppy can impact your dog for the rest of its life. Just like with children–puppies still have open growth plates and are susceptible to injury. Dogs are considered puppies until about 20 months of age. Get more detailed tips about appropriate exercises for puppies in this article from the IVC Journal.
   

• Manage your dog’s weight. Weight control is one of the most effective preventive measures for both arthritis and knee injuries.
   

• Tips to keep senior athletes healthy. On the other end of the spectrum, older dogs are also prone to knee injuries. Typically working dogs retire around the age of 10, but age-related conditions such as arthritis often impact them well before retirement age. For older sporting dogs make sure they’re competing in an age-appropriate competition bracket and take proactive measures to get them assessed for arthritis and other age-related conditions.
   

• Craft the perfect conditioning program. Just like with human athletes, sporting dogs need a well-design conditioning program complete with the following components:

  • Warm-up

  • Exercises with attention to form

  • Cool down

  • Rest time

Exercise should be performed in a non-slip environment to prevent slip and fall CCL injuries and dogs engaged in a conditioning program often need massage and other post-activity care to support muscle recovery.

Watch your dog. If they seem dehydrated or too hot, stop working out immediately and move to a cool place with plenty of water.

Recognizing the Signs of Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are pretty easy to spot. If you notice any of the following symptoms schedule an appointment immediately:

• Lameness or limping

• Swelling

• Stiffness

• Pain/ vocalized discomfort

At your appointment, we will observe your dog walking, examine and palpate the knee, and take x-rays to look for arthritis, inflammation, or any other injuries. Depending on the level of pain, some pets may require light sedation. 

Correcting Full CCL Tears with TPLO Surgery

During your pre-surgical appointment we’ll create an individualized  plan to meet the needs of your pet.

TPLO surgery is one of the most common orthopedic surgeries.  Metal plates and screws are used to stabilize the tibia after it is repositioned. 

Your pet will be ready to go home the same day for their recovery with pain medication. 

The Recovery Process

We use several tools to aid your pet’s post-surgical recovery:

• Laser therapy: This non-invasive treatment is soothing and well-tolerated by post-surgical patients. Laser treatment is applied over your pet’s surgical site to help reduce inflammation and to stimulate recovery on a cellular level.

• Exercise and physical therapy: We’ll recommend either at-home exercises of a physical therapy regimen to return your pet to mobility and to strengthen muscles surrounding the surgical site. 

Schedule a Consultation

Schedule an appointment today if you think your pet may be suffering from a knee injury, or want to discuss a preventive plan for your pet.

Resources

• https://ivcjournal.com/preventing-injuries-canine-athletes/

• https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/cranial-cruciate-ligament-disease 

• https://www.vetfolio.com/learn/article/all-things-considered-canine-sports-injuries