TPLO stands for Tibial Pplateau Lleveling Osteotomy.  TPLO is considered the best surgery for repairing a torn cruciate ligament in young, active or large-breed dogs.  In the long-run there is less arthritis formed and the dogs have a rapid and nearly normal function of the leg.   Many dogs are weight bearing by discharge and are using the leg well in 2 weeks.  In contrast the extra-cap repairs tend to take 6 weeks to reach the same level of use in the leg.  TPLO works by changing the mechanics and physics of the knee joint so slipping can't possibly occur due to nearly perpendicular loads to the contact point.s

       In TPLO surgery the tibia bone is cut and moved to a new angle and then plated in place to eliminate the slipping and grinding caused by a torn ACL ligament.  The angles inside the knee are measured pre-op with anything over 27-30 degrees considered to be excessive and potentially genetically or anatomically pre-disposed.  Post-op angles need to be in the 5-15 degree range for optimum return to function. 

       Dogs must stay over one night with a bandage on the leg that is removed the next AM and then sent home on instructions for rest and with some meds. to administer.  The post-op recovery period is typically 6-8 weeks with nothing allowed off leash until the bone has healed.  Post-op complications can occur including movement or fracture of screws, infection, fluid accumulation around the incision, cold sensitivity, meniscal damage, and rarely osteosarcoma.  These are minimized by following the post-op exercise and care instructions. For more information on TPLO see Slocumenterprises.com