This is an operation done to repair (or rather improve functionality) the knee following cruciate rupture. TPLO is performed to enable stability within the joint and alleviate pain resulting from the injury.
Symptoms and causes
The symptoms and causes are the same as with cruciate ligament damage. The injury is likely to have occurred due to gradual degradation of the ligaments through cranial tibial thrust. This is where the femur slips down the front of the tibia and pinches the ligaments and cushion behind the patella (meniscus pad). With each incident of this thrust the ligaments will degrade and rupture will occur. This will due to twisting movements or sudden stopping.
What is TPLO
This is the stabilisation of the knee in order to eliminate cranial thrust. The knee will be examined and the ends of the damaged cruciate ligament will be closely looked at. The vet will try to leave as much of the meniscus pad as possible as this reduces chances of arthritis later on.
A curved incision will be made into the tibia head and this will include the tibial plateau. This will level the slope of the plateau and reduce tibial thrust; once a metal plate has been pinned into place for stability.
Recovery from this surgery is relatively quick and full recovery if often seen after two months; seeing the dog walking reasonably normal within two weeks. This procedure will also go some way to protecting the other hind leg by reducing the amount of work it has to do following cruciate ligament damage.
Benefits of massage
