Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

A newer technique designed to address the instability due to cranial cruciate ligament deficiency.  

With this technique, the sloped canine tibial plateau is rotated to a more neutral position to eliminate the dynamic weight bearing thrust created on the tibia.  The bone is stabilized after rotation with a specialized bone plate and screws.  

Anecdotal evidence is highly supportive of improved clinical outcomes in the early postoperative period and hopefully decreased degenerative joint disease as time progresses as compared to other traditional techniques.  In addition, it appears as if the procedure provides improved joint extension and range of motion to the stifle as compared to other techniques.  

Complications include delays in bone healing, tibial tuberosity stress fractures, implant failure, osteomyelitis (bone infection), as well as other postoperative issues however, the overall prognosis appears to be an improvement in clinical function in better than 90% of owners surveyed.