What is a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)?

A TPLO is a surgical procedure performed to address a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL or CrCL). In order to understand this procedure, a review of canine stifle (knee) anatomy is in order. The stifle is composed of the bottom of the femur (thigh bone), which is shaped into two rounded condyles with a deep furrow running between them (the intercondylar fossa), the top of the tibia (shin bone), which provides a relatively flat surface with a mild downward slope from front to back (called the tibial plateau), and the patella (kneecap). As the knee flexes and extends, the femoral condyles rock back and forth atop the tibial plateau, and the patella slides up and down within the trochlear groove running along the front of the bottom of the femur. A number of ligaments are present within and around the knee joint to maintain stability as the limb is used. Two of these, the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments, run between the intercondylar fossa of the femur and the middle of the tibial plateau within the joint. The cranial cruciate ligament (analogous to the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in humans) starts far back on the femur and runs toward the front of the tibia, while the caudal cruciate does the opposite, starting toward the front of the femur and running to the back of the tibia. The cranial cruciate ligament performs the important job of preventing backward sliding of the femur on the sloped tibial plateau when the animal bears weight on the limb.

When the cranial cruciate ligament is torn, the stifle becomes unstable, as the femoral condyles slide backward on the tibial plateau whenever weight is placed on the affected limb. This causes pain and inflammation that, if not addressed, will ultimately result in significant degenerative joint disease. The TPLO surgery aims to stabilize the knee by flattening the slope of the tibial plateau, thereby eliminating the driving factor behind the backward slippage of the femur. First, the surgeon enters the stifle joint and removes the damaged remnants of the cranial cruciate ligament. They also inspect the medial meniscus, which can become damaged as a result of joint instability. If damage is found, the affected portion of the medial meniscus is removed, leaving only healthy and functional meniscal tissue to cushion the knee. The levelling of the tibial plateau is achieved by making an arc-shaped cut (called an osteotomy) through the top of the tibia, starting at the front of the joint surface of the tibia and ending at the back of the tibia a small distance below the joint. The bone segment created, which encompasses the joint surface of the tibia, is then rotated slightly so as to nearly eliminate the slope of the tibial plateau. A special surgical plate is used to secure the bone segment in this position. 

What patients can benefit from a TPLO?

Almost any dog that has a torn cranial cruciate ligament can benefit from TPLO surgery. While several different surgeries exist to address CCL tears, the TPLO has shown to have results equal to or better than these other procedures. In particular, the TPLO and TTA surgeries are superior to other options for large and giant breed dogs, who may put too much strain on other stabilization measures. The best surgical option for a specific patient will depend on a number of variables, including age, breed, body mass, activity level, and the patient’s specific stifle anatomy. By evaluating these factors, the surgeon will be able to advise you on the best surgery for your pet.

What post-operative care is required?

Because the tibia bone requires eight to twelve weeks to fully heal in its new configuration, the post-operative recovery period is relatively prolonged. In the absence of complications or concurrent orthopedic or neurologic problems, a patient can be permitted to return to full activity on average three to four months after surgery. X-rays are taken at four to six weeks and again at eight to ten weeks after surgery to monitor the healing of the osteotomy.

During the first month after surgery, only short, slow leash walks are allowed. It is essential to avoid any running, jumping, and playing with other dogs during this period, as repeated excessive strain on the surgical plate can result in breakage or bending, serious complications that require additional surgery to address. During this period, physical therapy exercises such as range of motion and stretches will be utilized to prevent joint stiffness and muscle contracture. After the first month, the length of leash walks can be gradually increased, and active physical rehabilitation exercises will be added to start building up muscle mass and encourage controlled weight bearing. Only after x-ray confirmation of advanced bone healing can patients be permitted to exercise off-leash, starting with only brief sessions and gradually increasing the duration and intensity until they are back to full activity.

What are the risks or complications?

The overall complication rate for the TPLO is about 15%, with less than 7% of patients experiencing serious complications. Potential complications include surgical site infection, patellar tendonitis, loosening or breakage of the surgical implants, and fracture of the fibula (the very slender bone running parallel to the tibia). Most complications can be successfully resolved with medications and physical rehabilitation therapy, but in a small number of cases, a second surgery may become necessary.

What is the prognosis with this surgery? 

With appropriate post-surgical management throughout the first few months after surgery, the prognosis is very good for return to normal or near-normal function. It is important to understand that degenerative changes that have already developed in the joint cannot be reversed, and some degree of arthritis will develop even with surgical stabilization. This, however, is much less severe than it would be without surgery, and is typically successfully managed with weight management, joint supplements, nutraceuticals, and anti-inflammatory medication as needed. 

While a dog who has had a TPLO has a lower risk of going on to develop a meniscal tear than a dog who has not had surgical stabilization, there is still about a 10% chance of medial meniscal injury in the future. This usually presents as a sudden-onset lameness developing up to a year after surgery, and may necessitate another procedure to remove the damaged portion of the meniscus. This surgery is much simpler than the TPLO and has a much more rapid recovery. 

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