TPLO Surgery for Dogs (ACL/Cruciate Ligament Repair) in Clovis & Fresno
At Armstrong Pet Hospital in Clovis, near Fresno, we specialize in Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery for dogs with torn cruciate ligaments (ACL tears). TPLO is considered the gold standard for stabilizing the knee, restoring mobility, and preventing long-term arthritis.
Signs of a Cruciate Ligament Tear in Dogs
A cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL, the dog equivalent of the ACL in humans) tear can appear in different ways:
Partial tears – intermittent limping, reluctance to flex the knee, or sitting with the leg out to the side.
Complete tears – sudden, severe lameness (often “3-legged lame”), with some improvement as inflammation decreases.
Tears with meniscus damage – persistent pain, swelling, and refusal to bear weight.
Most partial tears eventually progress to full rupture. Because of the way dogs’ knees are structured, rest alone does not heal cruciate tears. Without surgery, arthritis and chronic lameness are very likely.
Why TPLO Surgery?
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL/ACL) stabilizes the dog’s knee during movement. In dogs, the natural slope of the tibial plateau puts constant stress on this ligament, making injuries more common than in humans.
TPLO surgery works by leveling the tibial plateau, eliminating this stress and allowing the knee to stabilize without relying on the torn ligament. Compared to other repair techniques, TPLO offers:
Faster recovery
Better long-term joint stability
Reduced risk of arthritis
Restored athletic performance
This is why TPLO has become the most recommended cruciate repair procedure worldwide.
Who Should Get TPLO Surgery?
We recommend TPLO for most dogs over 10–20 pounds with a torn ACL. In dogs over 20 pounds, results are consistently better than with extracapsular (suture-based) repair.
Active and athletic dogs (hunting, agility, working breeds) often do best with TPLO.
Smaller dogs and cats may also be candidates, depending on their needs.
In our experience, 95% of dogs return to full function after TPLO surgery.
Success Rate of TPLO Surgery
At Armstrong Pet Hospital, TPLO surgery has a 90–95% success rate. Most dogs achieve about 95% of normal limb function within 10–12 weeks post-surgery and return to their previous activity level.
Possible complications are rare, but may include:
Infection at the surgical site
Patellar luxation
Implant issues
Our years of surgical experience, use of locking plates, and strict aftercare protocols help keep complication rates very low.
Schedule a TPLO Consultation
If your dog has a torn ACL, don’t wait — early surgical intervention prevents arthritis and speeds recovery.
Call Armstrong Pet Hospital in Clovis at 559-472-7065 today to schedule a TPLO consultation.
Learn more about our Cruciate Ligament Repair and Orthopedic Surgery.
The TPLO Process at Armstrong Pet Hospital
Preparing Your Home
Before surgery, talk with our team about how to best confine your dog during recovery. Comfort and safety at home are just as important as a strong rehabilitation plan.
Tips to prepare:
Use a crate large enough for your dog to stand and turn.
Create a gated recovery area in a non-slip room of your home.
Add rugs with rubber backing if your floors are slippery.
Preparing Your Pet
Feed dinner the night before surgery; no food the morning of surgery (water is allowed up to 1 hour before drop-off).
Bathe your dog, especially the rear legs, with antibacterial shampoo 1 day before surgery.
Pets with active skin allergies should be treated first; surgery may need to be rescheduled to reduce infection risk.
The TPLO Surgery Itself
An x-ray of the stifle is taken to measure the tibial plateau angle.
The joint is examined through a mini-arthrotomy to check and clean up meniscus/cartilage damage.
A curved cut is made in the tibia, rotated to the ideal angle, and fixed with a locking bone plate and screws (Biomedtrix/VOI systems).
This stabilizes the knee and helps delay arthritis.
Post-Surgery Care & Recovery
Incision Care (First 2 Weeks)
An Elizabethan collar (cone) is mandatory until staple removal.
Expect mild redness and swelling for 3–5 days.
Ice packs (10–15 mins, twice daily) can help reduce swelling.
Call us if you see pus, excessive redness, or heat at the incision site.
Activity Restriction (Weeks 1–12)
Weeks 1–2: Strict crate or pen rest. Bathroom breaks on a leash with a belly sling.
Week 3: Short 5-min leash walks; begin massage & passive range-of-motion therapy.
Week 4: 10-min walks; swimming allowed (assisted entry only).
Weeks 5–7: Gradual increase to 25-min walks.
Weeks 8–12: Longer leash walks (up to 2 miles). No off-leash play until x-rays confirm healing.
Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy
Your pet may benefit from:
Passive range-of-motion therapy (gentle flex/extend exercises)
Controlled leash walks with increasing time and difficulty
Balance and body awareness exercises (figure-8 walking, curbs, ladder exercises)
Cookie stretches and sit-to-stand “doggy squats”
Wading in water or walking in tall grass/snow (for strength and proprioception)
We can also refer you to local pet rehab centers in Clovis and Fresno for advanced recovery programs.
Medications & Diet
NSAIDs, antibiotics, gabapentin, and sedatives may be prescribed.
Watch for side effects like vomiting or diarrhea; call us if they occur.
Reduce food by 10–20% to avoid weight gain during reduced activity.
Constipation for 3–5 days after surgery is normal; contact us if it lasts longer.
Rechecks
14 days: Incision check & staple removal.
12 weeks: Follow-up x-rays to confirm bone healing. Activity restrictions lifted if healed.
Timeline for Recovery
Most dogs return to near-normal activity by 10–12 weeks post-TPLO. With full healing, they can resume running, playing, and even high-performance activities such as hunting or agility.