Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is a commonly performed orthopedic surgery to repair unstable knees, an injured ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), or cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs.
Like human knees, dog knees depend on four ligaments–the cranial cruciate, caudal cruciate, medial collateral, and lateral collateral ligament–for stabilization. This type of surgery is the best treatment option for when your pet tears its CCL, as these injuries don’t heal independently.
The procedure completely changes the knee’s dynamics so that the torn CCL is no longer required. And though the treatment is relatively straightforward, it’s not without risks. Today’s blog will discuss why some dogs limp one year after their TPLO surgery and how you can prevent complications following your pet’s operation.
What average recovery looks like
Typically, dog knee surgery recovery time may last upwards of eight weeks. After the procedure, you can expect swelling and inflammation around the incision site since surgeons had to cut through your canine’s bone and insert a plate and screws. Within the first 24 to 48 hours, your dog may also start to look uncomfortable.
Within the first and second weeks post-op, your veterinarian will remind you to reduce your canine’s movement and activity to lower the risk of complications and help their bones heal. Additionally, they may prescribe medication to help manage your pet’s pain. Once the third and fourth weeks hit, you may be allowed to start doing low-impact exercises with them.
By the time the fifth week comes around, you should be able to take your pet on controlled leash walks. Afterward, you can start light strengthening exercises and regular leg exercises until taking your canine on off-leash walks is safe.
With this prescribed recovery timeline, patients should be able to return to their active routines around ten weeks after the procedure. But in some instances, pet owners report seeing their dogs limping months after the ACL surgery despite following the proper recovery protocols. At its worst, some go back to their veterinarian to have the implants removed or a revisional surgery performed.
Why is your dog still limping one year after its TPO surgery?
There are two main reasons why your dog is still limping after their procedure: their size & weight and post-op care.
Size and weight
Lameness is normal for TPLO surgery patients. But the size and weight of your dog also contribute to how long they’re likely to experience limping. For instance, larger dogs tend to have a more extended limping period since they weigh more than smaller dogs.
Weight management is crucial for canines who have undergone knee surgery. Your pet can avoid putting additional stress on its knees by maintaining a healthy weight.
Post-operative care
Post-op care, or lack thereof, is another factor that plays a part in prolonged lameness. Your pet must stay confined in a comfortable crate during the first seven days following the procedure. If it does bear weight too soon, it may worsen its limp and jeopardize its overall recovery.
Your veterinarian will provide recovery protocols to follow to prevent drawn-out lameness, like limiting sudden movements.
Four ways to prevent TPLO failure years later
Recent studies revealed that the TPLO procedure has a low complication rate of 11.4%. Despite this, experts strongly suggest following recovery protocols to prevent TPLO failure years later. To help you out, here are four different ways to avoid complications like prolonged lameness.
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Obesity or being overweight is one of the leading causes of CCL tears. To prevent unnecessary strain on your dog’s operated joints, you’ll need to help them maintain a healthy body weight. We recommend sticking to a diet or creating a regular exercise routine to help your canine companion.
Besides lessening the stress in your pup’s joints, maintaining the ideal body weight also reduces the risk of arthritis. Excess weight releases hormones that cause body-wide inflammation, resulting in premature arthritis.
Introducing joint supplements
Joint supplements high in omega fatty acids help speed up your canine companion’s healing process, and fish oils also help in reducing inflammation after the procedure.
Avoiding high-impact activities
While it’s true that your pet can return to its normal activities several weeks after its operation, it must avoid high-impact movements like excessive running and jumping. These activities repeatedly stress out your dog’s operated joints. To prevent further complications, you must avoid these movements.
Regular exercise
Regular exercise strengthens and maintains your dog’s muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Aside from this, warm-ups and cool-downs are vital before and after your workout sessions. We recommend signing your dog up for physical therapy sessions to ensure a speedy recovery.
Successful post-op recovery doesn’t have to be complicated
Procedures like TPLO surgeries may be intimidating, but with the help of expert surgeons and proper rehabilitation, your pet will fully recover and live a healthier life in the future. For more information on how you can prepare your home and your pet for significant surgeries, visit our website here.
