When Does My Dog
Need TPLO Surgery?

What a CCL tear looks like

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the main stabilizer of a dog's knee. When it tears or degenerates, the tibia slides forward over the femur every time the dog bears weight. That causes pain, inflammation, and progressive arthritis.

Owners usually notice one or more of these signs:

• Sudden lameness after running or jumping
• Toe-touching or non-weight-bearing on a back leg
• Stiffness after rest that improves with movement
• Sitting with the affected leg kicked out to the side
• Reluctance to climb stairs or get into the car

Lameness grading matters

Grade 1 lameness is subtle — your dog is sore but still using the leg. Grade 4 means the leg is held completely off the ground. Grade 3 or higher usually indicates a significant ligament injury. A veterinarian can confirm the diagnosis with a physical exam and X-rays under sedation.

When to wait vs. when to call

A mild, improving limp after a day of too much activity can be watched for 48 hours with strict rest. If the lameness is severe, getting worse, or accompanied by swelling, call a surgeon. Partial CCL tears often progress to full tears; delaying treatment increases arthritis.

Why TPLO is the gold standard

TPLO changes the geometry of the knee so the torn ligament is no longer needed. For dogs over 30 pounds, it provides better long-term stability and lower arthritis risk than external repairs. Dr. Smith has performed over 1,000+ TPLOs in West Michigan.