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Purpose
Changes the mechanism of the stifle to achieve stabilization by active constraint of the joint. This is done by decreasing the TPA so that the femur does not slide back on the head of the tibia. TPLO as compared with extracapsular stabilization results in:
- more rapid recovery
- better range of motion
- development of less arthritis
- return to athletic or working activity
The TPLO surgery has a step learning curve - choose and experienced surgeon for your companion
- more rapid recovery
- better range of motion
- development of less arthritis
- return to athletic or working activity
The TPLO surgery has a step learning curve - choose and experienced surgeon for your companion
TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery has become one of the most popular orthopedic surgeries performed on dogs who have torn their cranial cruciate ligament ."
- Dr. James St.Claire
Understanding the problem
To understand why tibial translation occurs in patients with ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments, an analogy with a wagon tired to a post on the top of a hill was created to better grasp the concept.
- The slope of the hill represents the tibial plateau, the wagon represents the femur bone, and the cable represents the cranial cruciate ligament.
- It is known that the Tibial Plateau of a dogs stifle is sloped anywhere from approximately 25 degrees up.
- If the cable is torn, the wagon will roll down the hill (see fig below). Likewise, when cranial cruciate ligament is torn the femur bone will slide down the slope of the tibial plateau.
- When surface that the wagon is placed on is level and weight is put in the wagon, it does not to roll backward (see fig below).
- In the dog, the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy levels the slope of the tibial plateau so that the femur no longer slides down the plateau. Thus a dynamically stable joint is created even when no cruciate ligament is present.
How to fix it |
1. The ruptured cruciate ligament is removed and medial meniscus damaged is assessed.
2. *** Refer to video below found under the visual header of this page for TTA animation*** |