What to Know Before TPLO Surgery

Choosing Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, or TPLO, is a major step in treating a dog’s cruciate ligament injury. To begin, carefully evaluate whether TPLO is the right option based on your pet’s breed, size, age, activity level, and overall health. This includes considering any conditions that might complicate or healing. Before surgery, perform a full exam, blood work, and imaging studies to confirm your dog is a good candidate. If other medical issues are found, they need to be addressed before moving forward.

TPLO surgery changes the in the knee, which helps stabilize the joint without relying on the damaged ligament. The surgeon makes a precise cut in the bone, rotates the tibial segment, and secures it with a stainless steel plate and screws. This surgical approach delivers excellent long-term results, especially in larger or more active dogs.
Recovery from TPLO typically lasts eight weeks. During the early phase, rest is key— high impact activities such as running, jumping, or playing . We guide owners through each phase of recovery, starting with restricted movement, then gradually increasing to short, controlled walks, and eventually reintroducing normal activity. Many pets also benefit from rehabilitation techniques laser treatments, shockwave therapy and underwater treadmill to support joint function.

While any surgery including TPLOs can experience complications, such as infection, these are rare. We stay involved in the weeks following surgery to catch any problems early. Swellinor loss of appetite can be warning signs that something isn’t right.

TPLO surgery is not the only treatment available, but the procedure does work for almost all pets regardless of size. . For partial ligament tears or less active pets, more conservative approaches could be considered. Each case is different, and our goal is to create a plan that balances medical need with the pet’s lifestyle and the owner’s ability to manage recovery. TPLO surgery can restore mobility and comfort—but requires thorough evaluation, structured recovery, and owner commitment for the best outcome.