Pet Cruciate Ligament Repair
Dog Cruciate Ligament Injuries and TPLO Surgery in Mebourne
A torn cruciate ligament is the most common knee injury seen in dogs. If your dog suddenly becomes lame in a back leg, there’s a strong chance it’s due to a cranial (anterior) cruciate ligament rupture rather than another cause.
Typically, the injury happens suddenly where your dog may yelp, limp, and refuse to bear weight on one hind leg. It might seem to improve slightly after a week or two, but the knee often stays swollen, and arthritis starts to develop quickly.
Here at Eltham Veterinary Practice, located in Melbourne’s north-east suburbs, our experienced veterinarians diagnose and treat cruciate ligament injuries using advanced surgical techniques such as TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) and extracapsular repair.
What Is a Cruciate Ligament Tear in Dogs?
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) stabilises the dog’s knee joint, similar to the ACL in humans. When the ligament tears or ruptures, the knee becomes unstable and painful. Without treatment, the instability leads to degenerative joint disease, chronic pain, and reduced mobility.
Common symptoms include:
- Sudden lameness in a back leg
- Difficulty standing, jumping, or climbing stairs
- Swelling around the knee joint
- Stiffness, especially after rest
Diagnosing a Dog Cruciate Ligament Injury
Our vets at Eltham Veterinary Practice diagnose CCL injuries through a combination of physical exams, palpation of the knee for the drawer sign, and radiographs (x-rays) to assess bone and joint health.
In larger dogs, mild sedation is often needed for accurate assessment. X-rays also help rule out bone fragments or early arthritis that may accompany the ligament tear.
Why Cruciate Ligaments Tear
Sudden Injury
Young, energetic dogs—especially large breeds—can rupture the ligament while running, jumping, or playing.
Degenerative or Gradual Injury
More commonly, the ligament weakens over time from repeated micro-injuries. Overweight dogs are particularly at risk. The natural backward slope of a dog’s tibial plateau places additional strain on the ligament, eventually causing it to give way.
At our Melbourne clinic, we most often see cruciate ligament injuries in Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Border Collies, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Even a small jump off the couch or step down from a bed can cause a rupture in predisposed dogs. Unfortunately, once one ligament has torn, the other often ruptures within 6–12 months.
What Happens Without Surgery
When a dog cruciate ligament rupture is not surgically repaired, the knee remains unstable, and abnormal movement causes:
- Rapid arthritis development
- Bone spur formation (osteophytes)
- Chronic pain and reduced range of motion
Although some dogs may appear to improve, the underlying instability persists, and the joint will continue to deteriorate.
Surgical Treatment Options for Cruciate Ligament Rupture
At Eltham Veterinary Practice, we offer two primary surgical options based on your dog’s size and activity level.
1. Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
TPLO surgery is considered the gold standard treatment for cruciate ligament rupture in medium to large dogs. The procedure involves reshaping the top of the tibia (shin bone) to change the angle of the knee joint, eliminating the shearing forces that damage the ligament.
By rotating and flattening the tibial plateau, the knee becomes naturally stable when weight-bearing—without needing a replacement ligament.
During surgery, the torn ligament and any damaged meniscal tissue are addressed. A metal plate and screws hold the bone securely while it heals.
TPLO Surgery Recovery Timeline:
0–4 weeks: Strict rest (no running or jumping)
4–8 weeks: Controlled leash walking
3–6 months: Gradual return to normal activity
Most dogs start lightly touching the leg to the ground within a week and regain full use of the leg within 4–6 months.
Eltham Veterinary Practice has been performing TPLO surgery in Melbourne for several years and accepts referrals from vets throughout Victoria. Patients typically go home two days after surgery, and follow-up x-rays monitor healing and bone alignment.
📞 Contact us on (03) 9439 8650 for TPLO cost estimates or to book a consultation or click here to read about what is included in a TPLO surgery at Eltham Vet.
2. Extracapsular (Lateral Suture) Repair
For smaller dogs (under about 7 kg), the extracapsular repair, also known as the lateral suture technique, can be an effective and less invasive option.
A strong synthetic suture is placed around a small bone behind the knee and anchored to the tibia, taking over the role of the cruciate ligament until scar tissue develops to stabilise the joint.
Recovery Overview:
2–3 weeks: May carry the leg occasionally
8 weeks: Controlled exercise only (short leash walks)
2–3 months: Gradual return to normal function
The synthetic suture eventually breaks down once the dog’s own tissue is strong enough to maintain knee stability.
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation and Care
Successful recovery from cruciate surgery depends on strict activity restriction and rehabilitation.
Confine your dog to a small area (such as a laundry or playpen) for the first 6 weeks.
Avoid stairs, slick surfaces, and jumping.
Take short, slow leash walks only for toileting.
Use cold compresses and gentle range-of-motion exercises as recommended by your vet.
The bone and soft tissues usually heal over 8–12 weeks. Controlled physical therapy helps restore strength and flexibility while reducing pain and swelling.
Chronic or Long-Term Cruciate Injuries
Even dogs with older, partially healed, or arthritic knees can benefit from TPLO surgery. In very advanced cases, a total knee replacement may be considered through a specialist orthopaedic surgeon. When surgery isn’t an option, medical management—including pain relief, weight control, and physiotherapy—can improve comfort and mobility.
Meniscal (Cartilage) Damage
The menisci are two C-shaped pads of cartilage inside the knee that absorb shock and distribute weight. When the cruciate ligament tears, the inner meniscus often becomes damaged as well.
During surgery, the meniscus is carefully inspected and repaired or trimmed if necessary. Dogs with meniscal injury may make a clicking sound when walking, and addressing this damage is important for long-term comfort and stability.
Early Treatment Gives the Best Outcome
If you notice your dog suddenly limping or struggling to use a hind leg, it’s important to see a vet promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment of dog cruciate ligament injury greatly improve recovery and reduce the risk of arthritis.
For expert care and advanced surgical options such as TPLO surgery in Melbourne, contact our team at Eltham Veterinary Practice today.
📞 Call (03) 9439 8650 or book an appointment online to discuss your dog’s knee health.
Pet Cruciate Ligament Repair
Our team of professionals are here to help make pet care easy. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet's health, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We love talking about animals and we’re more than happy to help! If you would like to make an appointment you can book online or give us a call to arrange a suitable time.
