The Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy procedure stabilizes the knee by neutralizing tibial thrust, not by replacing the injured CCL. The bone below the tibial plateau is cut with a circular saw blade and rotated to level the tibial plateau slope thus eliminating tibial thrust. The other ligaments in the knee remain unchanged and help to further stabilize the joint. Injuries to the meniscus are treated by removing any damaged portions of this structure.
Dogs under 100 lbs: $ 3500.00
Dogs over 100 lbs: $ 3800.00
- Post-operative care:
Most dogs feel better immediately following the TPLO procedure and will start to use the operated leg within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Healing of the bone and soft tissues usually takes 8 weeks. Strict confinement is required during this period.
Complete healing is confirmed with x-rays, at which time a rehabilitation program is established. Most dogs return to full activity by 3 to 4 months, and to athletic competition (running, swimming, field trial, hunt testing, agility, etc.) by 6 to 9 months postoperatively.
ELBOW DYSPLASIA=ABNORMAL TISSUE DEVELOPMENT:
Elbow Dysplasia, regardless of degree of severity, always results in the development of progressive osteoarthritis in the affected joint(s). Dogs typically carry 60% of their body weight on their front limbs; therefore, any condition that affects the front limbs (i.e. elbow dysplasia) is serious and can be very crippling. Treatment recommendations for ED are dependent upon various factors, including the age at which the condition is diagnosed and the degree to which the dog is symptomatic. No single treatment modality has been shown to completely arrest the progression of osteoarthritis. However, it is acknowledged by the “International Elbow Working Group” and board-certified surgeons across the country, that early recognition and early surgical intervention offer the best hope for limiting progression of the osteoarthritis that will otherwise develop. The most accurate way to diagnose ED is with x-rays and CT or CAT scan technology.
State-of-the-art surgical intervention at this time involves joint evaluation and treatment via arthroscopy. The use of arthroscopy provides a minimally invasive means by which to visually evaluate the joint, record and document the degree of cartilage damage, remove coronoid bone/cartilage fragments (chips) and smooth, rough, irregular or incongruent joint surfaces. The loose fragments of bone and cartilage found within an elbow joint affected by dysplasia are not only a manifestation of the disease, but also an accelerant to the development of osteoarthritis. Keep in mind the analogy that ED is like a shoe that is too tight; it still works but it hurts to walk in, and there are pressure points present that can cause blistering. Now, place a pebble in the “too tight” of a shoe analogy, and you can imagine how that might increase the discomfort of the shoe as well as increase additional injury to the foot – as in the pebble digging into the tissue of the foot. This is similar to what is going on in an elbow joint affected by dysplasia: the joint does not fit together well, pressure points are present which result in fragmentation and erosion of the articular cartilage, and loose or fragmented pieces of cartilage and/or bone are present that increase the discomfort within the joint and worsen the arthritis.
Early removal of loose fragments and smoothing of rough joint surfaces makes the joint more comfortable and removes one propagating cause of arthritis; however, it does not change the underlying fact that the joint still does not fit together perfectly. Additional treatment recommendations include long-term management for osteoarthritis such as: weight reduction, moderation in activity, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), cartilage protective agents (nutraceuticals), disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), Eastern Medicine techniques (acupuncture) and specific diets for joint disease that have higher levels of omega fatty acids.
Following arthroscopy treatment in which dead, damaged, devitalized, fissured or fragmented articular cartilage is removed, a six-week period of rest is advised to allow for proper healing. Arthroscopic treatments such as microfracture and/or abrasion chondroplasty, result in release of stem cells from underlying bone marrow to replace the damaged cartilage. These stem cells form in the blood clot or scab on the injured areas in the joint where the damaged cartilage was removed. Over time, the stem cell blood clot transforms into new cartilage. Controlled activity and avoidance of trauma to the joint during this period of restoration is critical to insure that the stem cell blood clot is not knocked loose from the healing joint surface.
GENERAL
Bandage/Splint Home Care:
Bandages and Splints are applied for a variety of reasons and indications. Proper home care is critical to a successful outcome with their use. Listed below are a few simple recommendations for taking care of your pet when they have a bandage or splint – please read these recommendations.
- Keep bandage/splint DRY at all
- Use a plastic bag, saline bag or a similar device to protect the bandage/splint when your pet goes outside.
- Leave the bandage/splint covered ONLY while your pet is Remove the bag when your pet comes back inside.
- DO NOT leave your pet outside for prolonged periods of time with recovered bandage/splint.
- IF the bandage/splint gets LIGHTLY wet – dry it with a hair blow
- IF the bandage/splint gets MORE than lightly wet, bring your pet in at once to have the bandage/splint changed.
- IF
- your pet starts to chew at the bandage/splint.
- you notice a foul odor, or any change in odor coming from the
- your pet stops using the foot with the bandage/splint on
—->Please call AT ONCE to schedule an appointment to have the bandage/splint evaluated/changed (303) 494-0840.
- Check with your doctor about when you should schedule an appointment for a bandage/splint change.
- If you have any questions at any time concerning your pet or the bandage/splint-please call at once (303) 494-0840.