SURGICAL

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement Surgery (TTA)

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery for dogs for cranial cruciate ligament injury.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the knee is one of the most common causes of hind limb lameness in dogs especially in at risk breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers, Boxers and Rottweilers. The risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs increases with age as the ligament can be prone to wear and tear over time, ultimately leading to rupture. A dog’s body weight is also an important predisposing factor.

In the knee joint, the cranial (anterior) and caudal (posterior) cruciate ligaments stabilise the stifle. If one of these ligaments is torn or ruptured, the joint becomes unstable leading to movement of the femur with respect to the tibia, this can cause injuries to the meniscal cartilage of the knee joint and significant pain which leads to lameness.
Lame dogs require examination by your veterinarian who will check for instability and pain in the knee joint as well as other areas of the affected leg. If an injury or rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is suspected, your veterinarian will recommend x-rays to be conducted to help confirm the diagnosis.

For evaluation of cruciate ligament disease, it is important to obtain high quality digital x-rays to support the diagnosis, to accurately plan any potential surgery and to determine if there are any concurrent problems such as osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia. To facilitate correct positioning and to allow further examination of the joint with the muscles of the leg completely relaxed, the x-rays are taken whilst the dog is under a general anaesthetic.
If your dog is diagnosed with a cranial cruciate ligament injury, surgery is usually required. Cruciate repair surgery is routinely performed at Sydney Animal Hospitals. The specific procedure will depend on your dog’s breed, weight, activity level, age and anatomical measurements of the knee joint (done utilising orthopaedic planning software). The most critical measurements are the tibial plateau angle and the size and degree of rotation of the tibial fragment required to correct the deficient cranial cruciate ligament.

Given there are different surgical treatment options available depending on the patient, one of our veterinarians will explain the treatment management plan most appropriate to you and your pet’s individual needs. For many pets a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) is the treatment of choice to correct cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

What’s involved in a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery?

Prior to having any procedure under general anaesthetic or sedation, your pet should be fasted (no food) overnight and then brought into the veterinary hospital between 8am and 9am on the morning of the surgery. Access to drinking water overnight should be allowed and any medications that your pet is currently taking should also be brought into the hospital for your pet’s stay.

Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgeryTibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery usually takes about 60-90 minutes. The operation involves creation of a radial cut in the top of the tibia and rotation of the tibial plateau segment of the bone until the joint angle is 5 degrees. The bone is subsequently fixed in this new position using a bone plate and screws, which have been specially measured and chosen to suit the size of the patient’s bones.

TPLO surgery changes the angle and relationship of the femur and the tibia. The overall aim of the surgery is to alter the biomechanics of the joint such that the cranial cruciate ligament is no longer required to stabilise the stifle joint. Restoring a stable joint allows return to function and reduces the risk of developing osteoarthritis.

The majority of dogs who have a TPLO surgery are expected to start weight bearing on the operated limb within three to seven days of the surgery. Over 50% of dogs return to normal activity 3-4 months after a TPLO procedure. Almost all patients are at 90% or better at 6 months post op.

At Sydney animal Hospitals we offer a set package to manage your dog’s entire procedure. The package includes all rechecks and management of any minor complications.

TPLO All-Inclusive Packages

Lameness examination by your vet

Pre-operative planning and radiographs.

Choice of recommended procedure: e.g. TPLO, TTA,

Surgery – including intra articular examination (meniscal cartilage) if indicated.
Pain management, wound management, infection control medications and visits

Post operative radiographs

Hospital discharge (we offer a complimentary week of post operative care in hospital to assist your patient management)

Arthritis preventative medication
Recovery and rehabilitation – at home

Optional Class IV laser therapy is also additionally available at a discount to our TPLO patients.

Arthritis preventative medication

At Sydney Animal Hospitals, we have an advanced protocol for your dog’s medication regime. Patients are given intravenous antibiotics and pain medication during the procedure, and an intravenous analgesic infusion is continued for 24 hours post operatively. Your pet will also have a course of oral antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to complete at home. We apply a pain patch and use long term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications post operatively to keep your pet comfortable. All these medications are included in our overall TPLO package.

If you have any further questions please speak with one of our friendly veterinary team at your local Sydney Animal Hospital.

What Happens After Surgery?

If you have any further questions about cruciate ligament injuries, please speak with one of our friendly veterinary team at your local Sydney Animal Hospitals.

Our SAH Locations

Providing Animal Hospital Care with Flexible Payment Options

Like any member of your family, an unexpected illness or injury can happen to your pet at any time and with that comes unforeseen expenses.

To help with these unexpected costs Sydney Animal Hospitals offer a number of payment options such as Afterpay, Zip, VetPay, cash and credit card.



If you have pet insurance you may be able to claim on the spot and only pay the gap with GapOnly™

SYDNEY ANIMAL HOSPITALS ACCEPT

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions pet owners ask regarding TPLO surgery

What is TPLO surgery, and why is it recommended for pets?

TPLO surgery is a procedure to address cruciate ligament injuries in dogs by altering the angle of the tibial plateau to stabilise the knee joint. It’s recommended to relieve pain, improve joint stability, and prevent arthritis.

How long is the recovery for pets after TPLO surgery, and what does the recovery process involve?

We are conveniently located near you. Visit any of our 6 vet clinic locations in Sydney and rest assured, you will receive the best advice for your pet whenever needed.

What care does my pet need after TPLO surgery?

We are conveniently located near you. Visit any of our 6 vet clinic locations in Sydney and rest assured, you will receive the best advice for your pet whenever needed.

What are the potential risks associated with TPLO surgery for my pet, and how can they be minimised?

We are conveniently located near you. Visit any of our 6 vet clinic locations in Sydney and rest assured, you will receive the best advice for your pet whenever needed.

Does my pet need physical therapy after TPLO surgery, and what does it entail?

We are conveniently located near you. Visit any of our 6 vet clinic locations in Sydney and rest assured, you will receive the best advice for your pet whenever needed.

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