Orthopedic surgery, without the drive to a referral center.
Orthopedic surgery treats the bones, joints, and ligaments that let your pet move without pain. The two we see most are cranial cruciate ligament tears and luxating patellas, where the kneecap slips out of place. Both are corrected here rather than referred out, by the doctor who diagnoses them.
No referral needed · same doctor from consult to recheck
CCL stabilization
A torn cranial cruciate ligament makes the knee slide with every step. That instability is what hurts, and it is what drives arthritis into the joint if it is left alone.
For most medium and large dogs, TPLO is the most dependable fix because it changes the mechanics of the joint rather than relying on an artificial band to hold. For some smaller dogs, other stabilization techniques do the job well. The right answer depends on your dog's size, age, and activity.
It is also worth knowing early: a meaningful share of dogs who tear one cruciate go on to tear the other.
Read the full TPLO page →Signs of a cruciate injury
- Sudden limping or holding a back leg up
- A limp that improves then returns
- Sitting with one leg out to the side
- Stiffness after rest or exercise
- Reluctance to jump, or using stairs differently
- Muscle loss on one back leg over time
Patella luxation correction
A luxating patella is a kneecap that slips out of its groove. You often see it as a little skip in the stride, where the dog hops for a step or two then carries on as if nothing happened.
It is graded one to four. Mild cases are frequently monitored rather than operated on, and we will tell you when that is the honest answer. Higher grades cause ongoing lameness and wear on the joint, and correcting them deepens the groove and realigns the mechanism so the kneecap tracks properly.
When surgery is genuinely worth it
- The skip has become a persistent limp
- Your dog is in pain or avoiding activity
- The grade is progressing at rechecks
- Both knees are affected
- Arthritis is already developing in the joint
If your dog does not need surgery, we would rather tell you that at the consult.
Cranial cruciate ligament injuries, explained
What a CCL tear is, and how we diagnose it.
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Orthopedic questions owners actually ask
What is a cranial cruciate ligament tear?
It is the dog equivalent of a torn ACL, and it is the most common orthopedic injury we see. The ligament that stops the shin bone sliding forward gives way, which makes the knee unstable and painful. It does not heal on its own.How do I know if my dog has one?
Sudden limping or holding a back leg up, often after play. Some dogs improve for a few days then get worse again. A limp that keeps returning is worth an exam. We confirm it by feeling the knee for instability and taking X-rays.Is TPLO the only option for a torn CCL?
No. TPLO is the most reliable choice for most medium and large dogs, but smaller dogs sometimes do very well with other stabilization techniques. We will tell you honestly which suits your dog rather than defaulting to one procedure.What is a luxating patella?
It means the kneecap slips out of its groove. It is graded one to four by severity. Mild cases may only cause an occasional skip in the stride, while higher grades cause persistent lameness and wear the joint over time.Does every luxating patella need surgery?
No, and this is where an honest opinion matters. Low grade cases in comfortable dogs are often monitored and managed. Surgery is for dogs whose grade, pain, or progression justifies it, and we will say so when it does not.How long is orthopedic recovery?
Plan on roughly eight to twelve weeks of restricted activity with a recheck X-ray before your dog returns to running and play. Most are back to normal life by three to four months. The restriction period is the part owners underestimate.Do you refer these cases out?
No, we do them here. Most single doctor practices in the area refer orthopedic work elsewhere, which is exactly the gap this practice was built to fill.What will it cost?
You get an itemized quote at the consult before anything is scheduled, covering diagnostics, the procedure, anesthesia, medications, and the initial follow up recheck. To pay over time, we accept Cherry (opens in a new window), CareCredit (opens in a new window), All Pet Card (opens in a new window) and Scratchpay (opens in a new window).
Get a straight answer about your dog's knee.
Book a surgical consult for an honest assessment, an itemized quote, and a plan. No referral needed.