Cranial cruciate ligament treatment with a TPLO procedure

Here at Bridge Referrals we regularly see dogs with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. To treat this condition we normally perform a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) procedure. In this procedure, the tibial plateau, which is the upper part of the tibia bone in the hind leg, is leveled to eliminate the instability caused by the ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. This allows the dog to bear weight on the affected leg and regain normal function without relying on the torn ligament. TPLO is a common surgical option for treating this injury, as it has been shown to provide good long-term results in many cases.

This x-ray shows the sort of changes we expect to see with damage to the cranial cruciate ligament. The green lines demarcate the joint swelling that most of these dogs will have.  The red arrows show some mild evidence of degenerative change in this joint.  Diagnosis of cruciate ligament damage is by palpation and the surgeons at Bridge Referrals are extremely experienced at investigating and treating this condition.

This x-ray is a post operative image, the shin bone has been cut and re-aligned to stabilise the joint.  The bone is held in its new position with a metal plate applied to the inside aspect of the leg.

We believe in being upfront about costs at Bridge Referrals, the cost for a TPLO is £3500 (£4000 for dogs over 60kg).  This includes:

We also cover surgical complications for a period of 12 months following surgery.

If you would like to refer a cranial cruciate ligament case to us please: