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APRIL NEWSLETTER

Stifle surgery options

Jennifer McCartney, DVM

Imagine this: You were out playing Frisbee with your best buddy and now she’s limping on one of her rear legs, or you’ve noticed for months your four-legged canine friend has been limping off and on one of his rear legs. Or maybe you were out on a nice walk and your canine companion took off after that darn squirrel, and now he isn’t using his back leg at all. What happened?

One possibility for a cause of acute lameness may be a torn Cranial Cruciate ligament. A torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), is the canine equivalent of a human ACL tear and is one of the most common orthopedic injuries we see in dogs. The good news is that with proper diagnosis and the right treatment plan, most dogs return to comfortable, active lives. Understanding your options helps you feel confident about the decisions ahead. So what are the options?

Surgery is typically recommended for CCL tears because it addresses the underlying instability rather than just managing pain. Here at Parks Veterinary, we offer two methods of surgical repair for dogs.

First is the TPLO = Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. This surgery changes the geometry of the knee so the joint remains stable even without a functioning cruciate ligament. The surgeon makes a curved cut in the top of the tibia and rotates the bone to eliminate the sliding motion that causes instability. A metal plate holds everything in place while it heals.

The TPLO procedure is often recommended for larger, more active dogs because it provides excellent long-term stability and allows return to higher activity levels.

Second is a form of the Extracapsular or Lateral Stabilization method using a system called OrthoSta™. This technique uses a strong suture material placed outside the joint to mimic the function of the torn ligament. It stabilizes the knee while scar tissue forms to provide additional support. The OrthoSta™ system is unique because it uses a woven tape coated in Healix™ antimicrobial technology. This tape is passed through the femur and anchored with a titanium button, then secured into the tibia with a titanium interference screw without knots or crimps.

An extracapsular type of repair can be a good option for smaller dogs, older dogs with lower activity demands, or certain clinical situations where TPLO may not be ideal.

What does recovery look like?                                           

With any type of orthopedic repair, successful recovery really happens at home after surgery. This is a crucial time for tissue healing and bone repair. We recommend 6-8 weeks of limited activity – meaning no running, jumping, playing, hunting or excessive activity. We also recommend crate confinement while patients are not supervised at home. This means keeping your dog kenneled during the day while you’re are at work and usually at night to sleep. Again, this ensures that the dog can not participate in any strenuous activity or behaviors.

Controlled rest is essential in the early weeks after surgery. Too much activity too soon can damage the repair before it has a chance to heal. But let’s be honest: crate rest is challenging for active dogs and their families. How do you manage this?

• Establish a predictable daily routine so your dog knows what to expect
• Use food puzzles, stuffed Kongs, and lick mats to provide mental stimulation
• Practice calm, low-key interactions rather than exciting play
• Take prescribed short leash walks for bathroom breaks and gentle movement
• Rotate enrichment activities to prevent boredom

Once the initial healing phase has occurred, most owners would like their 4-legged family member back up and “running” as quickly as possible. How do you help the patient regain full recovery?

 REHABILITATION

Rehabilitation is an important part of orthopedic recovery.

See May 2026 newsletter for specific information about Rehabilitation, and please contact a veterinary professional for more information regarding diagnosis and treatment of hind limb pain, whatever the cause!