According to the vet it is super common.
It's actually pretty intense. They cut the leg bone, reposition it, and plate/screw it back together in a way that eliminates the need for ligaments in the knee.
From what I have read they have a little bone saw that is the shape of a 1/4 circle and they just saw er off, move it into place, and screw 6 to 9 screws into each knee plate. Google says the surgery takes about 1 -2 hours to complete.
Most dogs that get one TPLO done, end up getting the other leg done eventually. It is actually a little bit of luck that Dante got to get the procedure on both legs at the same time. That means we got his knees BOGO. Buy one, get one half off. The sedation and such is an expensive part of the surgery, so if you only have to knock him out once it really helps the final cost.
The alternative to TPLO surgery is called Nylon Line surgery. They use a line similar to fishing line to recreate the CCL - or that's how I understand it anyways. It is less invasive, but the re-injury rate is higher and the healing time is longer. It is more cost effective, but Dante did not qualify for this surgery since he had both knees done and he is over 50 lbs.
The heal time for the TPLO surgery varies. At first the surgeon says he will be running in 8 weeks. But everything after that indicates 11 weeks is more realistic. We want to be careful he doesn't bend a plate, or pop a screw.
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