TPLO surgery for dogs, done here in Westmont.
TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) is surgery that stabilizes a dog’s knee after the cranial cruciate ligament tears. Instead of replacing the ligament, we reshape the top of the shin bone so the joint no longer shifts when your dog bears weight. Most dogs are able to use the leg to walk out to your car at discharge.
No referral needed · itemized quote before anything is scheduled
How a TPLO surgery works
A plain-language explainer of what a cruciate tear is and how the TPLO procedure stabilizes the knee. No graphic imagery.
Video not playing? Watch it on YouTube (opens youtube.com in a new window)
How does TPLO actually work?
A dog’s knee is built on a slope. When the cranial cruciate ligament tears, that slope lets the shin bone slide forward every time your dog puts weight down, which is what causes the pain and the limp.
Rather than trying to rebuild the torn ligament, TPLO changes the geometry. We make a precise curved cut in the top of the tibia, rotate it so the joint surface is level, and secure it with a bone plate. Once the slope is gone, the knee is stable under load and the ligament is no longer needed.
Because it fixes the mechanics instead of relying on scar tissue, TPLO holds up well in active and larger dogs, and it tends to slow the arthritis that follows an unstable knee.
If that is easier to follow as a picture, step through the diagram below. It says exactly what the three paragraphs above say.
Guided TPLO
A cutting guide planned for your dog
We use OssAbility Guided TPLO cutting guides to make precise, accurate cuts for every individual dog. The cut and the rotation are planned for your dog before surgery. During the procedure, a guide set to that plan controls where the curved cut goes, its angle, and how far the top of the tibia is turned, and X-rays afterwards check the finished angle against the plan.
How guided TPLO works (OssAbility, PDF) (opens a PDF in a new window)We also treat, in the same suite
- CCL stabilizationAlternatives to TPLO for smaller dogs
- Patella luxation correctionFor kneecaps that slip out of place
- Complex fracture repairIncluding jaw fractures, and amputation where it is kindest
- Complex soft tissue surgeryMass removals, bladder stones, and swallowed toys retrieved from the intestines
- Complex oral surgeryBeyond a routine dental, in the same suite
- Digital X-ray and imagingSame day diagnostics, in our own lab
Schematic, not to scale
Step 1 of 3
The slope stops being safe
A dog's knee is built on a slope. The cranial cruciate ligament is what stops the shin bone sliding forward down that slope. When it tears, the tibia shifts every time your dog puts weight on the leg. That shift is the pain and the limp.
Step 2 of 3
We change the geometry, not the ligament
Rather than trying to rebuild a torn ligament, we make a precise curved cut across the top of the tibia and rotate that joint surface until it is level. With no slope left, there is nothing for the bone to slide down.
Step 3 of 3
A plate holds it while the bone heals
The rotated section is secured with a bone plate and screws. The knee is stable under load from the day of surgery, and the ligament is no longer doing a job it can no longer do.
Dr. Torok will walk you through your dog’s own X-rays at the consult. Every knee is a bit different, and the plan is made from the images rather than from a diagram.
What does TPLO recovery look like?
Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is the part owners ask about most. Here is the typical arc. Dr. Torok tailors the plan to your dog at every recheck.
Days 0 to 14
Home rest and incision care
Strict confinement, leash only for potty breaks, and pain control. Most dogs are able to use the leg to walk out to your car at discharge.
Weeks 2 to 4
Short, controlled walks
Sutures or staples come out around day 10 to 14. Slow, flat leash walks begin, a few minutes at a time.
Weeks 4 to 8
Building strength
Walks get gradually longer. Still no running, jumping, stairs, or off leash time while the bone knits.
Weeks 8 to 12
Recheck and clearance
A follow up X-ray confirms the bone has healed, then activity opens up step by step.
Months 3 to 4
Back to being a dog
Most dogs return to full activity, including running and play, with better long term joint comfort.
This is the typical arc rather than a fixed schedule. Your dog’s plan comes from Dr. Torok at each recheck, and it will move faster or slower depending on the X-rays and on how the leg is being used.
What will it cost?
Cost transparency is the thing our clients mention most in their reviews, so we will not make you chase a number. You get an itemized quote at the consult, before anything is scheduled, and it covers the whole arc of care rather than a headline figure that grows later.
If the quote is more than you expected, tell us. We will walk you through what is medically necessary now, what can wait, and how Cherry (opens the Cherry application in a new window), CareCredit (opens the CareCredit application in a new window), All Pet Card (opens the All Pet Card application in a new window) or Scratchpay (opens the Scratchpay application in a new window) can spread it out.
Your quote includes
- The consult, exam, and X-rays that confirm the diagnosis
- Pre surgical bloodwork and anesthesia monitoring
- The TPLO procedure, implants, and surgical suite time
- Pain management and medications to go home with
- The initial follow up recheck
What a TPLO runs here
- The surgery itself
- $4,900
- Before surgery: exam, X-rays, basic bloodwork, ECG and medications
- about $550
- Final recheck at 8 weeks, including X-rays
- $200
Per knee. The itemized quote you get at the consult is the number that counts, and it is built for your dog rather than read off a list.
TPLO questions owners actually ask
How do I know if my dog tore their CCL?
The classic sign is 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 coming back is worth an exam. We confirm it by feeling the knee for instability and taking X-rays.Is TPLO better than other CCL repairs?
For most medium and large dogs, TPLO gives the most reliable return to full function because it changes the mechanics of the joint rather than relying on an artificial band to hold. Smaller dogs sometimes do well with other techniques. Dr. Torok will tell you honestly which fits your dog.How long is the surgery and will my dog stay overnight?
The procedure itself typically takes a couple of hours. We will go over the exact plan for your dog at the consult, including whether they go home the same day, so you know what to expect before you commit.Will my dog be in a lot of pain?
Pain control starts before the first incision and continues at home with a multi step plan. Fear Free handling is part of how we do everything. Most owners are surprised how comfortable their dog is in the first week.When will my dog walk on the leg again?
Most dogs are able to use the leg to walk out to your car at the time of discharge. Real weight bearing builds over the first two weeks, and controlled leash walks begin after that.How long is the full recovery?
Plan on about eight to twelve weeks of restricted activity, with a recheck X-ray confirming the bone has healed before your dog goes back to running and play. Most dogs are back to normal life by three to four months.Do I need a referral from another vet?
No. You can book a surgical consult with us directly. If another veterinarian has already diagnosed the tear or taken X-rays, bring those records and we will review them with you.What if my dog tears the other knee later?
It is common. A meaningful share of dogs who tear one cruciate ligament will tear the other within a couple of years. We will talk about what to watch for and how to lower the risk.Is my dog too old for TPLO?
Age alone does not rule it out. What matters is overall health, and we screen for that with an exam and bloodwork first. Plenty of senior dogs do very well and get years of comfortable mobility back.What does TPLO cost, and can I pay over time?
The surgery itself is $4,900 per knee. Before it, the exam, X-rays, basic bloodwork, ECG and medications come to about $550, and the final recheck at 8 weeks including X-rays is $200. You still get an itemized quote at the consult before anything is scheduled, with no surprise add ons. 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). Cost transparency is something our clients specifically thank us for.Why have surgery here instead of a referral center?
We perform TPLO in our own surgical suite, work most general practices in the area refer out. You get the same doctor from consult through recovery, in a practice where the staff already knows your dog.What happens if we do nothing?
A torn cruciate does not heal on its own. Dogs compensate by shifting weight to the other legs, and arthritis sets into the unstable knee over time. Surgery is about restoring comfortable function and slowing that damage.
Think your dog tore a cruciate? Talk to the doctor who does the surgery.
Book a surgical consult and get a straight answer, an itemized quote, and a plan. No referral needed.