Hopkinton Animal Hospital

Stabilizing the joint early—before arthritis becomes severe—is key to preserving your pet’s comfort and mobility. TPLO surgery eliminates the need for a functioning CCL by altering the biomechanics of the joint, providing long-term pain relief and preventing further damage.

• Sudden or persistent limping in a back leg

• Recurring hindlimb lameness even after weeks of rest and pain medications

• Difficulty rising, jumping, or using stairs

• Clicking sounds from the knee

• Swelling around the knee joint

• Reduced interest in walks or play

TPLO surgery changes the angle of the knee joint, eliminating the need for the damaged ligament and restoring stability. The benefits include:

• Proven success in restoring mobility

• Ideal for large or athletic dogs

• Reduces long-term arthritis risk

• Faster predictable return to normal activity

• Reduced muscle loss

• Long-term joint stabilization

Consultation & Diagnosis

• We begin with a thorough orthopedic examination and may recommend digital X-rays or sedated joint evaluation.

Surgery Performed by Skilled Team

• TPLO surgery is performed by our experienced veterinarian with specialized training in orthopedic procedures. Your dog will receive full anesthesia, monitoring, and pain management throughout the procedure.

Recovery & Rehab

• Recovery typically takes 8–12 weeks. We provide clear post-op instructions, pain control, and rehab guidance to ensure the best healing possible.

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is similar to the human ACL. It connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and helps stabilize the knee joint.

A rupture of the CCL is a serious injury that leads to:

• Pain and lameness

• Progressive arthritis and cartilage damage

• Joint inflammation

Dogs of all sizes can be affected, but large breeds are at higher risk.

• Young active dogs may tear their CCL during exercise or play.

• Older dogs often experience ligament degeneration where even minor trauma can cause rupture.

• Bilateral injuries are common—if one knee is affected, the other may follow. About 30- 50% of dogs will rupture both CCLs within 1-2 years of each other.

TPLO is a surgical procedure designed to stabilize the knee joint following a rupture or tear of the cranial cruciate ligament (similar to the ACL in humans). Instead of replacing the ligament, TPLO changes the angle of the tibia, which eliminates the need for the damaged ligament altogether.

This procedure is highly effective offering long-term joint stability and reduced arthritis development. While this procedure is especially effective for active dogs or larger breeds, TPLO surgery can benefit any size dog.

TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) is a surgical technique designed to stabilize the knee joint by altering the angle between the femur and the tibia. This adjustment minimizes the forward thrust of the tibia during each stride, restoring functional stability to the joint.

During surgery, Dr. Peel makes a controlled semicircular cut across the top of the tibia. The cut portion of bone is then rotated to a new angle that neutralizes the shear force within the knee. Once aligned, the bone is secured using a specialized locking plate and screws, allowing it to heal in this corrected position. This realignment significantly reduces mechanical stress on the joint, lowers inflammation, and helps prevent long-term pain and osteoarthritis.

If a meniscal tear is identified during the procedure—a common accompaniment to cruciate injuries—Dr. Peel will carefully remove the damaged portion. The meniscus has poor blood supply and does not always heal well on its own, so removal of the torn area helps prevent continued pain and inflammation.

Before closing the incision, Dr. Peel administers a long-acting local anesthetic throughout each layer of tissue. This approach provides extended pain relief, ensuring your pet remains as comfortable as possible in the critical days following surgery.

If your pet has a TPLO procedure with Hopkinton Animal Hospital it will include the following visits and services:

• Initial exam and initial x-rays

• Day of surgery

• Surgery Check In: Between 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Hopkinton Animal Hospital,

  • Please fast your pet for at least 4 hours before then

• IV

• Pre-anesthetic blood work

• Chest x-ray if needed/elected

• Pain medications

• Anesthesia

• Detailed pre-op x-rays

• Surgery including plate and screws

• Post-op x-rays

• Recovery day in the hospital

• Take home pain medications and antibiotics

• E-collar

10-14 days recheck

• Physical exam or Telemedicine (emailed photo of incision)

10 weeks recheck

• Physical Exam

• Sedation if needed

• X-rays

We use a multimodal approach to keep your dog comfortable:

• Pre-op and intra-op opioid medications

• Long-acting local anesthetics

• Continuous pain control during and after surgery

Thanks to this comprehensive pain plan, patients go home the same day to recover comfortably.