Dog Blog 5

and here is the final result. TPLO= Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy.
the section of bone that is cut is rotated and secured in place with a plate and screws. there is a portion of the bone not cut that leaves a sharp point 'upwards' but apparently this causes no problem. the movement of the rotated section now makes the Tibial head level. the remains of the ACL are removed. dove's entire mechanics for how she uses this leg has been permanently changed. now the upper legbone does not slide down a slope (cuz there is no slope to slide down) and there is no longer any need for the ACL. and in my dog's case the cartlige inbetween is in very good condition
other methods for this injury are 1) repair with less advanced technique using a special suture to stabalize the ligament. this proceedure is currently used and less costly--can be quite successfull but dose not have the higher success rate. 2) initially, canine ACL's were repaired just like in humans but these surgeries failed repetively 3)other methods unknown to me
the technique is to change the bone to give its own stablization for no more need of an ACL. after 6 months the cut section of bone has completely healed/melded with the original bone and the plate and screws can be removed but often are not. that is a personal decision for you and your dog
for anyone reading this who has a dog may this never happens to your dog!!
dove is recovering well