There are multiple potential causes for lameness following TPLO ranging from simple soft-tissue inflammation associated with over-activity, to implant failure with a resultant tibial fracture. Keeping your pet calm and on-leash for
8 weeks
is easier said than done.
Will my dog always limp after TPLO surgery?
How Long Should You Expect Your Dog to Limp After ACL, TPLO, Or TPA surgery?
It is both expected and completely normal for your dog to limp for a period of time after extensive knee surgery
.
How long will my dog limp after knee surgery?
About half of all canine patients will begin walking on the injured leg within 24 hours after surgery. At 2 weeks postoperatively, most dogs are bearing moderate to complete amounts of weight on the affected leg. By
10 weeks
, most dogs do not have an appreciable limp or gait abnormality.
Why is my dog limping a year after TPLO surgery?
Dogs that have had TPLO or TTA surgery can and often do have intermittent periods of stiffness and lameness for the rest of their lives because
no procedure is capable of stopping and/or reversing the osteoarthritis that is present in the knee
, although PRP-HA or stem cell therapy MAY slow it down or even reverse some …
When should dog start using leg after TPLO?
Recovering From TPLO – Dog Recuperation Times
Following TPLO surgery, dogs will be able to walk on the leg
within 24 hours
, and most will be bearing moderate amounts of weight on the leg within 2 weeks.
Why is my dog still limping after surgery?
It is normal for dogs to limp after leg surgery
. For example, a dog who has undergone a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) to treat a cruciate ligament rupture generally begins bearing some weight on the affected leg within a week or so after surgery.
What can go wrong after TPLO?
Complications occurring during or after TPLO can range in severity from
swelling and bruising to fracture and osteomyelitis
. Ten to 34% of TPLO surgical procedures are reported to experience a complication and approximately two to four percent require revision surgery to address a complication.
What happens if my dog jumped after TPLO surgery?
There are typically no complications involved with recovery from TPLO surgery, so
your dog will likely be fine after a single infraction of exerting the knee too early
, but it’s best to limit jumping or running as much as possible.
What should I do if my dog is limping?
Get Help if Your Dog’s Limping Suddenly
No matter the cause of your dog’s limping, it’s important to
seek veterinary care as soon as possible
. If your pet starts limping due to a serious situation and your primary veterinarian is not available, then you should seek immediate emergency vet care.
When should I start rehab after TPLO surgery?
Rehabilitation begins
soon after your pet’s surgery
. Over the course of ~3 months your pet’s activity will be allowed to gradually increase to build muscle mass, improve flexibility and enhance bone healing while minimizing complications. The degree of activity should progress with your pet remaining comfortable.
Can a TPLO fail?
Implant failure is extremely rare, but is the most catastrophic potential complication
. Plates and screws used with the TPLO are very strong. However, in rare cases when pets are allowed too much activity very early on in the healing process, it’s possible for the plate to bend or for the screws to bend or break.
How often does TPLO fail?
Overall complication rates after TPLO are estimated at
14-34%
, although a second surgery is required in less than 10% of cases. The most common complications of TPLO surgery include infection (approximately 6% of cases) and implant loosening or failure.
Can a dog re injure after TPLO surgery?
TPLO surgery is a fairly common repair that makes the dog’s leg function again without the ligament. Although the odds of retearing the same ACL are low due to the nature of the surgery,
repetitive motion injuries and “micro injuries” can still occur
.
Can dog lay on leg after TPLO surgery?
For example,
it’s not a problem for a dog to lie down on his sore leg after TPLO surgery
.
How long after TPLO can dog jump?
8-16 weeks postoperatively
: After bone healing is confirmed (usually at the 8 week recheck but sometimes 12 week recheck), you may slowly increase activity including some controlled off-leash activity, running and jumping over the next month. It is important to do this slowly.
