A more common practice among animal surgical procedures, the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is used to repair a torn cranial cruciate ligament in dogs. The cranial cruciate ligament, also referred to as the ACL, is found in a dog’s knee joint and is a load-bearing tissue. Because of this, the ACL is highly susceptible to injuries and can suffer severe inflammation and damage over time should a tear not be tended to properly. Signs of ACL damage include a dog’s unwillingness to place weight on the injured leg.
In undertaking a TPLO surgery, a veterinarian cuts into the dog’s knee bone and rotates it for stabilization. In essence, the new angle of the tibial plateau eliminates its ability to slide backwards, and therefore, renders the cranial cruciate ligament unnecessary for movement. The healing time after the surgery is usually about 4-8 weeks. In some instances, owners have reported that their pets began using their limb within a day of the procedure.