What Is a Tibial Plateau-Leveling Osteotomy?

By Brian Daubs

Introduction An accomplished veterinary professional, Dr. Brian

Daubs serves as the chief of surgery at the Animal Specialty & Emergency Hospital in Rockledge, Florida. Skilled in a variety of treatment techniques, Dr. Brian Daubs has experience performing a range of surgical interventions, including tibial plateau-leveling osteotomies.

Tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery is performed on dogs to repair a torn or ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, which functions similarly to the anterior cruciate ligament in the human knee.

Tibial Plateau-Leveling Osteotomy The intervention was developed by Dr. Barclay Slocum

more than two decades ago, and it has since become a popular and effective method for reducing pain and restoring stability in a dog’s knee.

A complicated surgery, TPLO involves removing portions of the cruciate ligament and cutting the tibia bone, which is then rotated and secured using a metal plate and screws. Although many dogs can begin bearing weight on the restored knee within a few days of the surgery, it typically takes eight to 12 weeks for a dog’s knee to completely heal. Following this healing period, however, most dogs can return to a very active lifestyle.