Recovery After TPLO Surgery

🐶 RECOVERY AFTER TPLO SURGERY

A tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) treats cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears by cutting and repositioning the tibia (shinbone) to stabilize the knee.

Recovery requires at-home management, including incision care, strict activity restriction, and rehabilitation to support proper bone healing. Even if your dog begins using the operated leg shortly after surgery, the bone needs time to heal before normal activity can safely resume.

If your dog becomes anxious or difficult to confine, contact your veterinarian. Medication may be needed to help keep your dog calm and safe during recovery.

🩹 INCISION CARE

• Check the incision daily for redness, swelling, heat, discharge, bleeding, or opening. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs.
• Prevent licking, chewing, or scratching at the incision site. Your pet should wear the E-collar at all times until the incision is healed and your veterinarian approves its removal. Even brief licking increases the risk of infection and complications.
• Keep the incision clean and dry. No baths or swimming until the incision has healed and any sutures or staples have been removed, as directed by your veterinarian.
• Cold compress: If recommended, apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin towel for 10–15 minutes, 3–4 times daily, during the first 3 days. Always place a protective layer, such as a thin towel, between the ice pack and your pet's skin.
• Warm compress: After the first 3 days, your veterinarian may recommend a warm compress for 3–5 days if the area remains bruised, painful, or swollen. Always use a protective layer and ensure the compress is not too hot.

⚠️ Allowing your dog to lick the incison, even for short periods, increase the risk of complications and increase veterinary costs.

🚶 EXERCISE RESTRICTION

Strict activity restriction is essential until bone healing is confirmed on X-rays.

Confine your dog to a crate or small room when not directly supervised. When outside, keep your dog on a leash and under direct supervision.

In many cases, sedation may be required to keep your pet calm and compliant in their kennel. Please discuss this with your primary care veterinarian if you feel your pet is becoming anxious or stressed.

Weeks 1–2

• No running, jumping, playing with other pets, or off-leash activity.
• Prevent access to stairs, furniture, and slippery floors.
• Take your dog outside on a leash for bathroom breaks 2–4 times daily.
• Short, slow leash walks may be recommended for 5–10 minutes, ensuring you walk slowly enough that your dog uses the operated leg with each step.

Weeks 3–8

• Continue confinement when your dog is not directly supervised.
• If the incision has healed and your veterinarian approves, gradually increase leash walks, potentially to 20–30 minutes, 2–3 times daily.
• Continue to prevent running, jumping, rough play, and uncontrolled activity.
• Keep all outdoor activity on a leash.

Weeks 9–12

• Increase activity only if the 8-week recheck and X-rays confirm adequate bone healing.
• Keeping them in a kennel is no longer needed.
• Gradually return to normal activity over 3–4 weeks. Begin with a few minutes of unrestricted activity and add a few minutes daily as tolerated.
• Leash walks can continue without a specific duration limit, as directed by your surgeon.

Your surgeon may recommend a different schedule depending on your dog's progress and follow-up imaging.

⚠️ Inadequate restriction of activity is a common cause of complications and increased veterinary cost.

🦴 REHABILITATION

Rehabilitation helps maintain joint mobility, preserve muscle strength, and restore limb function. Begin exercises only as directed by your surgeon. Some TPLO protocols begin gentle rehabilitation the day after surgery.

If your surgeon approves passive range-of-motion exercises:

• Positioning: Lay your dog down with the operated leg facing upward and gently support the limb.
• Toe flexion and extension: Slowly flex the toes until you feel minimal resistance. Hold for 1–2 seconds, then extend the toes and hold for another 1–2 seconds. Repeat the toe movements 10–15 times.
• Joint movement: Gently flex and extend the ankle, knee, and hip, repeating each movement 10–15 times.
• Bicycle motion: If recommended, gently move the leg forward and backward in a bicycle motion for 1 minute.
• Leash walks: Follow with a slow, controlled leash walk for 5–10 minutes if recommended.

Your dog may experience mild soreness after exercises. If advised, apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the operated knee for 5–10 minutes.

Never force joint movement or perform exercises without your surgeon's approval. Stop if your dog experiences significant pain or distress.

Some dogs may benefit from professional rehabilitation or physical therapy.

💊 MEDICATIONS AND PAIN MANAGEMENT

Your dog may receive pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, and, when indicated, antibiotics after surgery. Follow the prescription instructions carefully.

• Give all medications at the prescribed dose and schedule. Do not stop, change, or add medications without consulting your veterinarian.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or dark, tarry stools. If these signs occur, stop the NSAID and contact your veterinarian promptly.
• Never combine NSAIDs or give an NSAID with a steroid, such as prednisone, unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. These combinations can cause serious side effects.
• If antibiotics are prescribed, follow your veterinarian's instructions and complete the course as directed.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet's pain appears uncontrolled, appetite decreases significantly, or mobility worsens rather than gradually improving.

If your dog received a long-acting local anesthetic during surgery, it may provide additional pain relief during the first few days.

🔍 WHAT TO EXPECT DURING RECOVERY

• Limb use: Your dog should gradually put more weight on the operated leg and typically use it consistently within 5–7 days. Contact your veterinarian if this does not occur or your dog suddenly stops using the leg.
• Swelling: Mild swelling or bruising around the surgical site 2-3 days after surgery may occur. Swelling can also move down toward the ankle due to gravity during the first few days.
• Appetite: Appetite may temporarily decrease after anesthesia and surgery. Contact your veterinarian if your dog is not eating within the next few days.
• Bowel movements: Anesthesia, pain medications, and changes in routine may cause constipation. Contact your veterinarian if your dog appears uncomfortable, strains repeatedly, or has other concerning symptoms.

Contact your veterinarian if your dog is not consistently using the operated leg within 5–7 days, suddenly stops using it, or shows worsening pain rather than gradual improvement.

🩺 RECHECK APPOINTMENTS

Follow-up appointments are essential to monitor incision healing and confirm that the bone is healing appropriately.

• 10–14 days after surgery: Incision evaluation and suture or staple removal, if applicable.
• Approximately 8 weeks after surgery: Follow-up examination and X-rays to assess bone healing and determine whether activity can be increased.
• Additional rechecks: Further examinations or X-rays may be necessary before your dog can safely return to unrestricted activity.

🚨 WHEN TO CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN

Contact your veterinarian promptly if you notice:

• Redness, increasing swelling, heat, discharge, bleeding, or opening of the incision.
• Persistent or worsening pain despite prescribed medication.
• Sudden inability to use the operated leg or a significant decline in mobility.
• Decreased appetite that persists, repeated vomiting, diarrhea, or dark, tarry stools.
• Marked lethargy or other concerning changes.

Seek urgent veterinary care if your dog experiences severe pain, collapse, difficulty breathing, or another emergency.

💚 HELP YOUR DOG HEAL SAFELY

TPLO recovery requires patience and consistency. Even when your dog seems to feel better, the bone may not yet be strong enough for unrestricted activity.

Follow your surgeon's instructions, restrict activity, and keep all recheck appointments.

These steps help reduce complications and give your dog the best opportunity for a successful recovery.

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