The canine knee joint is a complex structure and when part of that structure becomes injured, pain and lameness is the most likely result for the dog.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is also sometimes called the cranial cruciate ligament. It is a ligament that helps to support the canine knee joint by keeping the tibia aligned with the femur and keeping it from moving forward in relation to the femur. (The tibia is one of the bones that is located directly below the knee joint and the femur is right above the joint.)
- ACL injuries occur frequently in young active dogs when they twist the leg accidentally while playing or working. This results in a sudden lameness.
- ACL injuries also occur commonly in older large breed dogs that are overweight. In these dogs, the ligament may become stretched with "wear and tear" on the joint, resulting in a ligament that breaks easily even with a very minor insult, like walking down a stair or getting off of a piece of furniture. The lameness in this case may appear to be sudden if the ligament breaks suddenly. The symptoms may also be more chronic, with the lameness occurring as the joint changes in response to the stretching and injured ligament.
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) in Dogs with ACL Injuries
There are several options for treatment of a dog that is suffering from an ACL injury. Many veterinarians believe that a surgical procedure known as a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is the best surgical option for any dog with an ACL injury. The TPLO surgery is especially appropriate for large dogs that weigh over 50 pounds because it is likely to provide more stability in the joint than other surgical options.
Details of the Canine TPLO Surgery
The tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery involves cutting the tibia and twisting it to change the angle of the joint. The change in angle of the joint allows the dog to leverage his own body weight in stabilizing the knee joint.
The TPLO surgery involves opening the knee joint of the injured dog. If the menisces are damaged, they are removed. (Menisces are small structures composed of cartilage that sit between the bones in the joint and provide a cushion between the bones.)
A series of radiographs (x-rays) of the dog's knee joint are taken and evaluated to provide the proper angle. Once the proper angle is established, the surgeon is able to determine where to cut and how far to rotate the tibia.
When the cutting and rotation of the bone is accomplished and the angle is optimal, the bone is then fixed in place using steel plates and screws or other fixation devices and allowed to heal.
Recovery of the Dog After TPLO Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, there is a recovery period after the surgery is completed. With a TPLO surgery, the dog needs to rest for at least 8 weeks after the surgery. This entails restricting the dog's exercise to short leash walks and discouraging excess activities such as running and playing.
Directly after the TPLO surgery, most dogs will be non-weight bearing on the injured leg. The rate of recovery varies from one dog to another. However, most dogs will be starting to place some weight on the leg within 10-14 days. Some will take up to 3 weeks. Full recovery usually requires 3-4 months.
Join the Conversation