TPLO Surgery
for Dogs
Bone geometry, not ligament replacement.
The top surface of your dog's tibia is sloped — typically 25–35 degrees. When the CCL is intact, it holds the femur and tibia together despite this slope. When it tears, every weight-bearing step causes the tibia to slide backward, grinding on the meniscus — a cartilage pad packed with nerve endings.
TPLO corrects this by cutting the tibial plateau, rotating it to 0–5 degrees, and securing it with a plate and screws. Now when your dog lands, they land on a flat, stable surface. The joint stops sliding.
Because this relies on bony healing rather than ligament healing, recovery is faster than older techniques and outcomes are dramatically more reliable.
What to expect, week by week.
Home rest with pain medications and antibiotics (anti-inflammatory, gabapentin, trazodone for sedation, and an antibiotic).
Short 5–10 min leash walks only. Remove bandage at 2 weeks. E-collar comes off at the end of week 2.
Gradually increasing walk duration. Minimize stairs, no jumping, no off-leash.
30–40 min walks. Dog usually feels great — controlled restraint is the challenge.
Post-op radiograph. 95% of dogs cleared for return to full normal activity.
Common questions.
What is a CCL tear?
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs is equivalent to the ACL in humans. It stabilizes the knee joint. When it tears — fully or partially — the knee becomes unstable. Every time your dog puts weight on the leg, the tibia slides backward, grinding on the meniscus and causing pain and progressive arthritis.
How does TPLO work?
TPLO corrects the geometry of the knee rather than replacing the ligament. We cut the tibial plateau, rotate it to 0–5 degrees, and secure it with a plate and screws. This creates a stable, flat landing surface so the joint no longer slides during weight-bearing. Because it relies on bony healing rather than ligament healing, recovery is faster and more predictable.
What are the outcomes?
TPLO has a 95% return-to-previous-function rate. Results are consistent because the surgery corrects the mechanical problem at the bone level — it doesn't depend on the body rebuilding a ligament.
Will my dog tear the other CCL?
There's a 32–48% chance the other knee will tear within a year. This is largely genetic. We radiograph both knees at every visit and will tell you exactly what we see.
What about the meniscus?
During surgery we evaluate the meniscus. If it's damaged, we trim or remove the affected portion. If the meniscus is determined to be healthy, it is left alone. About 2% of these cases may need intervention later in life, which we monitor during rechecks.
How soon can we get scheduled?
Usually within 2–3 weeks from your call. We don't run a wait list — call (616) 364-3333 and we'll find you a slot.
Ready to get your dog's knee fixed?
We move fast. Most dogs are in surgery within 2–3 weeks of your call. No referral required.