TPLO surgery in your dog, what does it involve?
In order to rebalance the load on the knee and normalize the use of the hind leg, the top of the tibia (with the meniscus on it) is placed in a neutral position. Before the operation, one or more x-rays are taken to determine how much the top of the tibia needs to be rotated.
The position and shape of the hind leg remain the same on the outside. Exceptions to this are the X or O legs. This is also corrected for the hind leg in question.
What happens during the TPLO operation?:
- In the knee joint, the remains of the anterior cruciate ligament are removed.
- Any damaged part of the meniscus is removed.
- Below the knee joint, the tibia is sawn, rotated and fixed in the ideal position using a special custom bone plate. This bone plate is fixed in the bone with screws
Below is a very clear video about what the procedure exactly entails:
What are the advantages of TPLO surgery in dogs compared to other surgical techniques?
TPLO has many advantages over other methods for treating a torn cruciate ligament in dogs:
- Your dog will regain normal, pain-free knee function.
- Higher chance of recovery, especially in heavier dogs and active sports dogs.
- Lowest risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee in the short and long term.
- Permanent stability of the knee.
- Least chance of complications.
What is the recovery like after surgery?
As with any operation, the wound must be protected from infection for two weeks. Your dog must not lick or bite the wound. Licking can bring bacteria from outside to inside the wound. If these bacteria come near the plate and/or screws, they can be rejected!
To prevent this, the dog often has to wear a collar. This takes some getting used to at first, but it is absolutely necessary.
In the beginning, your dog will receive morphine-like painkillers in addition to the normal painkillers. They will also receive two different courses of antibiotics.
Your dog may run free indoors and does not need to be in a crate, provided he/she takes it easy. If you have other (busy) dogs, running free is not advisable. A level surface ensures the least chance of complications. Do not play with other animals and/or children for the first 6 weeks.
Movement? The first 10 days, walking is very limited: Only on a leash near the house to poop and pee, then back inside. After 3 and 10 days we see him/her for a check-up. Any stitches are removed and we discuss what he/she is and is not allowed to do from that moment on. He/she is still not allowed to run, jump or play with other dogs during that time. Walking must be on a leash.
After 11 weeks there is a final check. We will also take an X-ray to see if the implants are still in the right place and if the two bone parts have grown together sufficiently.
Physiotherapy? This varies per case. The first 3 days you may cool the knee with cold packs and alternately warm it with warm moist cloths. The latter may be continued until 10 days after the operation.
Sometimes it is possible that you start with “passive movements” after 4 days. This means that the dog is in a calm, side-lying position with its operated leg above, you grab its lower foot/heel and by moving it towards the pelvis you bend the knee.
Then the lower foot is gently pulled away from the pelvis. This stretches the knee. This can also be done with the standing dog.
“Active physiotherapy” comes later, depending on how the recovery is going.
If you click here you will see a video of Daisy, 11 weeks after her operation with us.
How much does a TPLO surgery cost for my dog?
We want as few surprises as possible for you. That is why the prices below are “All-in”. This means that we strive to do the entire process, from operation to the very last check-up, for 1 amount. In concrete terms, the operation includes:
- The surgery/x-rays required during the surgery.
- Medication for the first few days (in almost all cases no more medication is needed after that). You will be given antibiotics, normal painkillers and strong painkillers for the first few days.
- The control after 3 days.
- The control after 10 days.
- The control after 11 weeks, during this check-up we take x-rays to check the bone healing.
The costs (prices as of 01-01-2026):
TPLO procedure for dogs up to 25kg €2.380
TPLO procedure for dogs weighing between 26-40kg €2.610
TPLO procedure for dogs weighing 41 to 55 kg €2.835
In most cases the rehabilitation is then complete, but if not, we continue with checks until we have achieved the maximum achievable result.
Some things are too different for each patient and are not included in the price in. These are:
- Care for complications. For example: biting/licking the stitches.
- If medication is needed for more than 10 to 14 days. For example, because your pet already has osteoarthritis.
We hope that this information provides you with sufficient information.
If you have any questions and/or doubts, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you.
