Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO)

A Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) is a surgery used to correct problems caused by a partial or complete tear of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in the knee joint (stifle). The CCL is one of the main ligaments that stabilises the knee, preventing the shinbone (tibia) from sliding forward against the thighbone (femur).

Because a dog’s knee is naturally bent when standing, the CCL is always under tension and therefore more prone to injury. When the ligament is torn, the knee becomes unstable. Each time your dog bears weight on the injured leg, the femur shifts on the tibia, causing pain, inflammation, and further damage inside the joint.

This instability often leads to limping, “toe-touching” the paw to the ground, or complete reluctance to use the leg. Without surgical correction, the ongoing instability can quickly result in meniscal damage and arthritis. TPLO surgery stabilises the knee, relieves pain, and helps restore your dog’s ability to walk comfortably.

TPLO surgery changes the way forces act on the knee so the torn ligament is no longer required for stability. During the procedure:

• The surgeon removes the damaged cruciate ligament and checks the meniscus cartilage (torn in 30–40% of cases). If damaged, the meniscus is trimmed to relieve pain.

• A curved cut (osteotomy) is made in the top of the tibia bone. The bone is rotated to level the slope of the tibial plateau, then secured with a plate and screws.

This eliminates the abnormal sliding movement called cranial tibial thrust, restoring immediate stability. Most dogs begin using their leg quickly after TPLO, which helps reduce pain, prevent further meniscal damage, and minimise muscle loss.

After your dog's surgery, we will provide them with post-operative care for 24-36 hours. Our team of vets and nurses will give them strong intravenous pain relief and constant care during their stay. 

For overnight monitoring and continued pain relief, patients are transferred to Northside Emergency Service and returned to our hospital the following morning. Depending on their temperament and recovery, some patients may be able to go home the same day.

Once your dog is ready to be discharged, we will arrange a discharge time to discuss the necessary post-operative care and address any concerns or questions you may have.

Recheck Appointment

We see our patients 5 days for a post-operative re-check. Followed by 14 days to remove stitches and start a course of four (4) Zydax injections, each one week apart, to help prevent arthritis. 

Follow-up radiographs to monitor bone healing at 8 weeks post-surgery. This allows assessment of the bone healing before increasing the level of exercise.

Before bringing your dog home from the hospital, it is essential to have prepared a “home hospital bed” for them to rest in. Your dog’s movement must be restricted for 6-8 weeks to allow adequate healing- this includes no stairs, no playing with other dogs, no off-lead walking and no jumping. 

Keeping them in a dog crate or small room on a non-slip surface is the safest way to ensure they do not harm themselves. Your dog will not be able to have a bath or be groomed for a couple of weeks after the surgery, so it is recommended you bath your dog before surgery – this also minimizes the risks of skin infections. Your pet should also have a flea treatment before admission. Your dog needs to be fasted for the general anaesthetic. Please give them their regular dinner the night before admission and no food after midnight. Water does not need to be restricted at any time. 

Call the Allambie Vet team if you have any questions about your dog’s hospital stay or procedure.

You must restrict your dog's activity for 10-12 weeks following surgery to permit normal healing. During this period, the dog's activities will be gradually increased to build muscle, stretch scar tissue and strengthen the bone. During this time, strict confinement is required:

1. Your dog can be inside, on carpeted surfaces, under your direct supervision.
2. Avoid all slippery surfaces, stairs and any form of jumping.
3. They must always be on a leash when outside for airing and toileting.
4. When not under your direct supervision, they must be confined to a small room (approximately 2m x 2m).

For the first four weeks after surgery, restrict your dog to slow walks inside the house and on a leash when taken out to the toilet.

After four weeks, you can begin walking your dog on a long leash outside. Start with a short (e.g. 5-10 minute) walk, then if they are tolerating this well, increase the duration of the walk every few days.

6-8 weeks after surgery, we would like to see your dog back for a recheck and radiographs to evaluate the healing of the surgery site. If healing is progressing normally, you may start to exercise your dog off the leash. Off the leash, activity should occur only after your normal long-leash walk and under your supervision. As with the leash walks, you should start with 5 minutes off leash and double the time every 3-4 days as long as your dog is comfortable. Jumping or free running with other animals or after toys should not be permitted.

10-12 weeks after surgery, A final examination will be needed to evaluate final healing. Instructions will then be given for returning your pet to normal activity.

If any time during healing, your dog appears to have increased pain or other set-backs, please contact us.

Post-operative complications are uncommon with this procedure and most can be avoided with good quality home care after surgery. Possible complications include:

• Late meniscal injury (2%)
• Infection (4%)
• Implant failure (rare)
• Soft tissue swelling around the surgery site (rare)

We expect 90-95% of dogs to return to near-normal function within 3-6 months after surgery. This includes regular lead exercise without significant lameness. Dogs with significant osteoarthritis & meniscal damage may require lifelong osteoarthritis management to achieve the best outcome.

• Pre-operative care and planning, including pre anaesthesia blood test
• Anaesthesia 
• Surgery TPLO performed by Dr Eugene Buffa, Specialist Surgeon and Implants 
• Pain Management
• Wound management, infection control medications
• Post-operative radiographs
• Hospital discharge
• Follow-up post-operative consultation at 3 days, 10 days and weekly for 4 weeks to get Zydax injections
• Follow-up radiographs at 8 weeks

Additional fees you may incur would be further anti-inflammatory, antibiotics or calming medications after surgery outside of what is dispensed the day of surgery. 

Any potential risks/complications post-operative would incur additional fees. Complications are uncommon with this procedure, and most can be avoided with good-quality home care after surgery. 

To obtain an accurate cost estimate, you will need a consult with a veterinarian. However, contact us below and we can do our best to provide you with as much information as possible. Explore options for insurance coverage for orthopedic surgeries.

At Allambie Vet on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, we are proud to offer TPLO surgery in-clinic for a capped fee of $4,500, performed by our experienced veterinarians Dr Kate Clair and Dr Linda White.

Both vets have completed additional training in orthopaedic surgery to provide TPLO as an option for dogs with cruciate ligament injuries. This means your pet can have advanced orthopaedic surgery performed in a familiar, trusted environment with the veterinary team who knows them best.

Our $4,500 capped package includes:

• Pre-operative consultation and blood tests
• Anaesthesia and monitoring
• TPLO surgery and implants
• Advanced pain management and infection control
• Post-operative radiographs
• Follow-up consultations at 3 days, 10 days, and weekly for 4 weeks (including Zydax joint support injections)
• Final radiographs at 8 weeks

By choosing Allambie Vet, you avoid the stress of travelling to a referral hospital and benefit from continuity of care  from diagnosis to surgery to recovery all under one roof.

If your dog is limping or has been diagnosed with a cruciate ligament rupture, please call Allambie Vet on (02) 9905 0505 or book an appointment online.

Our experienced team will examine your dog, take radiographs if needed, and discuss whether TPLO surgery with Dr Kate Clair or Dr Linda White is the best option. Early diagnosis and surgery provide the best long-term outcome for your dog’s comfort and mobility.

If you are seeking a second opinion on a surgical condition, please email us at hello@allambievet.com.au with as much detail as possible regarding your