what is tplo surgery for dogs

what is tplo surgery for dogs

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TPLO surgery stands for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, which is a surgical treatment used to stabilize the stifle joint when the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CrCL) has ruptured. The TPLO procedure consists of cutting the top of the tibia (bone below the knee), rotating it, and stabilizing it in a new position with a bone plate and screws. This surgery aims to make the tibial plateau perpendicular to the long axis of the bone and prevent the shin bone from moving forwards. TPLO surgery eliminates the need for the cranial cruciate ligament by reconfiguring the dogs knee.

TPLO surgery is recommended for dogs with a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament that have persistent lameness and stifle joint instability. Young dogs and those with rupture of both of their ligaments (bilateral disease) are particularly good candidates. The recovery process may take several months, and rehabilitation therapy is done at home. Aftercare following TPLO surgery is very important, with courses of painkillers and antibiotics prescribed at discharge. The most common complication after TPLO is infection, which occurs in less than 10% of all patients.

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