11/09/2025
Cranial cruciate ligament injury in dogs is one of the most common and devastating orthopedic problems I see, because it robs them of their freedom to run, play, and live without pain. The ligament, much like the ACL in humans, stabilises the knee, and when it tears, the joint becomes unstble, leading to pain, lameness, and progressive arthritis. Over the years, many techniques have been developed to address this, but the gold standard in most cases is the TPLO : tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. By precision planning using special software, simulating the rotation of angle of the shin bone, TPLO neutralises the forces that cause instability, restoring function without relying on the torn ligament. When done well, it allows dogs to return to full, pain-free activity, whether that’s chasing a ball, leaping, or simply enjoying a gentle walk with their family. For me, every TPLO isn’t just a surgery, it’s a chance to give a dog back its joy and a family back its beloved companion’s sparkle.