Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs: Postoperative evaluation and owners' perception.

Abstract

Different studies have already demonstrated the effectiveness of Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR); however, the course of patient recovery is still not well elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative period of dogs undergoing TPLO to identify the recovery pattern and any associated complication. Nineteen TPLO procedures performed over the period of one year were included. Postoperative evaluation included a questionnaire to be answered by the owner and follow-up visits at seven days for suture removal, at 30 to 40 days, and at 60 to 70 days for radiographic assessment of the operated knee. In the evaluation of postoperative ambulation progression, all dogs were using the limb by day seven, and 47.36 % bore weight on the operated limb consistently while walking at that time. Postoperative edema, even if mild, occurred in 89.47 % of patients, and hematoma was observed in 47.36 % of the cases. Two patients (10.52 %) required extended postoperative management of complications; however, all dogs had a positive outcome. This study demonstrated the recovery pattern in 19 TPLO procedures, with 84.2 % of the dogs using the limb during walking by the seventh postoperative day. Early limb use may be associated with better functional recovery. The complications observed were manageable.