What Is a TPLO — and Does My Dog Need One?

Understanding cruciate ligament injuries in dogs — brought to you by the team at Midway Animal Hospital.

If your dog has suddenly started limping on a back leg, one of the most common culprits is an injury to the cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL — the canine equivalent of the ACL in people. It’s one of the most frequent orthopedic injuries we see in dogs, and one of the most treatable. Here’s what it means, how to spot it, and how a procedure called a TPLO can get your dog back on their feet.

As Citrus County’s AAHA-accredited animal hospital, we perform orthopedic surgeries like TPLOs right here in Citrus County — so families don’t have to travel to Ocala or Tampa for advanced care.

What Is the Cruciate Ligament?

The cranial cruciate ligament is a band of tissue inside your dog’s knee (called the stifle) that keeps the joint stable. When it’s stretched or torn, the knee becomes unstable and painful, and the joint can’t bear weight normally. In dogs, this often happens gradually as the ligament weakens over time, though it can also tear suddenly during play. Because the two knees share the load, dogs that injure one CCL frequently injure the other down the road.

Signs Your Dog May Have a Cruciate Injury

CCL problems can come on suddenly or build slowly. Common signs include:

• Limping or favoring a back leg, sometimes worse after rest or exercise
• Difficulty rising, jumping, or climbing stairs
• Sitting with one back leg kicked out to the side
• Stiffness, reduced activity, or reluctance to play
• A sudden, non-weight-bearing lameness in one hind leg

If you notice any of these, it’s worth having your dog examined. Left untreated, an unstable knee leads to arthritis and ongoing pain.

What Is a TPLO?

TPLO stands for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. Rather than trying to replace the torn ligament, the procedure changes the geometry of the knee so the joint stays stable without it. The surgeon makes a precise cut in the top of the shin bone, rotates it to a level angle, and secures it with a specially designed plate and screws. Once healed, your dog’s knee can function normally without relying on the damaged ligament.

For many dogs — especially medium-to-large or active dogs — the TPLO is considered the preferred approach because it restores stable, comfortable movement and gives the best long-term outcome. Other repair techniques exist and can be a good fit for some smaller dogs; our veterinarians will recommend the option that’s right for your pet.

What Recovery Looks Like

Most dogs go home the same day or the next, and recovery centers on rest and controlled activity for roughly eight to twelve weeks while the bone heals. Short leashed walks, gradually increasing over time, help rebuild strength. The large majority of dogs return to comfortable, active lives — often back to the activities they love. We’ll guide you through every step of the recovery plan.

Advanced Orthopedic Care, Close to Home

Many general-practice veterinarians refer cruciate surgeries out to specialty hospitals, which can mean a long drive and a longer wait. At Midway, our team performs TPLOs and fracture repairs in-house, supported by advanced diagnostic imaging including CT, so your dog gets expert orthopedic care without leaving Citrus County. If you think your dog may be dealing with a knee injury, we’re here to help you understand the options.

Meet the Surgeon Behind the Procedure

Your dog’s TPLO will be performed by Dr. Pratt, who brings over 10 years of experience in veterinary orthopedic surgery to every case. Dr. Pratt has completed more than 400 TPLO procedures and several hundred fracture repairs, giving Homosassa-area families the confidence of specialty-level surgical experience without leaving Citrus County. That depth of hands-on experience means a smoother surgery, a more predictable recovery, and a surgeon who has seen — and successfully treated — nearly every variation of cruciate injury a dog can present with.

About Midway Animal Hospital

Midway Animal Hospital is a full-service, AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital in the heart of Homosassa, Florida. Locally owned and deeply rooted in our community, we’re proud to be recognized with a “Best of the Best” award for the standard of care we bring to every pet who walks through our doors.

From routine wellness care, vaccinations, and dental care to advanced diagnostics with CT imaging and complex surgeries such as TPLOs and fracture repair, our team is here for your pet at every stage of life. We’re proud to bring advanced, specialty-level care to Citrus County — close to home, so you and your pet don’t have to travel far for it.

Visit Us

Address: 1635 S. Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34448

Phone: (352) 795-7110

Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. • Closed Saturday & Sunday

Email: info@midwayanimal.com

Website: midwayanimal.com

Online Pharmacy & Pet Portal: available anytime through our website.

Have questions or want to schedule a visit? Give us a call at (352) 795-7110 — we’re here to help.