Dog Knee Surgery (TPLO) in Springtown, Texas
Your dog used to race across the yard, jump into the truck or lose their mind when you picked up the leash. Now they're limping, barely touching one back foot to the ground, or looking at you before a set of stairs like they're not sure they can do it.
A torn ACL or CCL can change the way a dog moves pretty quickly. The good news is that it doesn't have to be permanent.
At Springtown Emergency Animal Hospital, we offer TPLO knee surgery and rehabilitation for dogs in Springtown, Texas, helping them get back to walking, playing and simply being dogs again.
Why is my dog suddenly limping on a back leg?
There are a lot of reasons a dog can start limping, but one of the most common knee injuries we see is a torn cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL.
If you've heard someone say their dog tore an ACL, they're usually talking about the same kind of injury. Humans have an ACL. Dogs have a CCL. They do similar jobs, and most people understandably call both of them an ACL.
The CCL helps keep your dog's knee stable when they walk, run and put weight on the leg. When that ligament becomes damaged or tears, the knee can become painful and unstable.
Sometimes it happens suddenly. Your dog is running across the yard, turns the wrong way and comes back on three legs.
Other times there isn't one dramatic moment at all. You may notice a little limp that seems to get better with rest, only to come back again.
What are the signs of a torn ACL or CCL in a dog?
You know how your dog normally moves. When something changes, pay attention to it.
A dog with a knee injury may:
Limp on one of their back legs
Hold a back foot off the ground
Put only a little weight on the injured leg
Have trouble getting up after lying down
Hesitate before climbing stairs
Stop jumping onto furniture or into the truck
Sit with one back leg sticking out to the side
Seem stiff after resting
Lose interest in running or playing
Have swelling or tenderness around the knee
Some dogs make it very obvious that something hurts. Others are remarkably good at hiding pain and simply start changing the things they do.
If your dog suddenly won't use a back leg or has a limp that isn't going away, it's worth finding out why.
What is TPLO surgery?
TPLO stands for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy.
That's a mouthful, and unless you've had a dog with a knee injury before, there's absolutely no reason you would know what it means.
The simple version is this:
TPLO is an advanced knee surgery for dogs with a torn CCL, commonly called a torn ACL.
When the CCL tears, your dog's knee loses some of its stability. Instead of trying to replace the damaged ligament, TPLO changes the mechanics of the knee so it can remain stable when your dog puts weight on the leg.
During TPLO surgery, the upper portion of the tibia is carefully repositioned. A specialized plate and screws hold the bone in its new position while it heals.
It sounds complicated because it is sophisticated orthopedic surgery. But the goal is incredibly simple.
We want your dog comfortably using that leg again.
Does my dog really need TPLO surgery?
Not every limp needs surgery, and not every dog with a knee problem will have exactly the same treatment plan.
That's why the first step is figuring out what is actually causing the problem.
We'll examine your dog's knee, look at how they stand and move, and determine whether the joint feels unstable. X rays and other diagnostics may be recommended to get a better look at the knee and help plan treatment.
If your dog does have a torn CCL, we'll talk with you about the options.
A young, active 90 pound Lab who lives to chase a ball isn't the same patient as a small senior dog who would rather spend the afternoon on the couch. Your dog's size, age, activity level, injury and overall health all matter.
We'll talk through those things with you before deciding what makes sense for your dog.
Why treat a torn CCL?
Dogs are tough. Sometimes they're a little too tough.
A dog with an injured knee may keep trying to use it even when it hurts. Unfortunately, continuing to walk on an unstable knee doesn't make the underlying problem disappear.
Over time, that instability can contribute to inflammation, arthritis and additional damage inside the knee.
It can also change the way your dog moves. When one leg hurts, they compensate by shifting their weight somewhere else.
The goal of treatment isn't simply to stop a limp today. We want to give your dog the best chance at comfortable mobility for the years ahead.
What happens after TPLO surgery?
Surgery fixes the mechanics of the knee, but it's only the beginning of getting your dog back to normal.
Recovery and rehabilitation matter.
And this is often the hardest part for owners because dogs don't understand recovery schedules.
Once your dog starts feeling better, they're probably going to think they're ready to run across the yard long before we're ready for them to do it.
After TPLO surgery, your dog will need a period of controlled activity while the bone heals. We'll give you instructions for caring for the incision, managing activity and gradually getting your dog moving again.
We'll also let you know when it's time to increase activity and when we want to see your dog again to check their progress.
How long does TPLO recovery take?
TPLO recovery happens in stages.
Don't be surprised if your dog starts acting like they feel better before they're actually healed. That's a good sign, but it doesn't mean they're ready to go back to normal activity yet.
Early recovery is about protecting the surgical repair and allowing the bone to begin healing. From there, activity can gradually increase as your dog progresses.
Follow up visits and X rays may be used to see how the bone is healing before your dog is cleared for more strenuous activity.
We'll walk you through it.
You shouldn't have to go home after orthopedic surgery wondering what your dog can do, what they shouldn't do or what happens next.
Why is rehabilitation important after TPLO surgery?
Think about what happens when a dog has been favoring one leg for weeks or months.
They lose strength. They change how they walk. Other muscles and joints start doing more of the work.
Surgery addresses the injured knee. Rehabilitation helps your dog get back to using their body normally.
Depending on your dog's needs and stage of recovery, rehabilitation can help with comfortable movement, range of motion, rebuilding strength and gradually returning to everyday activities.
The goal isn't just a healed X ray.
The goal is a dog that can use the leg.
Will my dog be able to run again after TPLO surgery?
For many owners, this is the question behind every other question.
Will they run again?
Will they play again?
Will they jump into the truck again?
Will they be the same dog?
TPLO is designed to restore stability to the injured knee and help dogs return to comfortable use of the leg after healing and rehabilitation.
Every dog and every injury is different, so we can't promise exactly what recovery will look like for an individual patient.
But getting dogs back to an active, comfortable life is exactly why we do this.
My dog is limping. When should I call a veterinarian?
A limp doesn't automatically mean your dog tore their CCL.
Dogs can limp because of injuries involving their paws, muscles, bones, hips, knees, spine and other parts of the body.
But if your dog suddenly refuses to put weight on a leg, seems painful, has obvious swelling, was injured, or has a limp that isn't improving, they should be examined.
You don't need to figure out whether it's an ACL, CCL, TPLO or something completely different before you call us.
That's our job.
Your job is noticing that your dog isn't moving like they normally do.
TPLO Surgery & Rehabilitation in Springtown, Texas
Springtown Emergency Animal Hospital provides TPLO surgery, orthopedic care and rehabilitation for dogs in Springtown and surrounding communities, including Weatherford, Azle, Decatur, Aledo, Willow Park and Poolville.
Maybe your veterinarian has already told you your dog needs TPLO surgery. Maybe you've been told they tore their CCL. Or maybe all you know is that your dog suddenly isn't using a back leg like they should.
Start there.
We'll help you figure out what's wrong, explain the options in language that makes sense and help you decide what's right for your dog.
Springtown Emergency Animal Hospital
TPLO Surgery & Rehabilitation
817.220.0002
Get them back on all four again.