What are risks of TPLO surgery for dogs?
TPLO has a low over all complication rate when perforemd by an experienced surgeon. The two most common complication which we encounter is surgical site infection. Despite strict aseptic technique 2% of TPLO cases in our hospital will develop an infection at the surgical site. The bacteria create a biofilm on the implants which is resistant to antibiotics. To cure the infection we may have to remove the implants which necessitates another surgery. This surgery is charged at a flat rate of $2,000. Implant removal happens at 12 weeks after the tibia has achieved osseous union (healed). The surgery is still a success with the stifle stabilized and the patient able to resume normal activity levels a few weeks later.
Other complications after TPLO are rare and are usually avoided through having an experienced surgeon operate on your dog.
Complications can include:
- Fragmentation of the tibial plateau
- Fracture of the tibial tuberosity,
- Implant failure
- Over rotation of the proximal tibial fragment (leading to stress on the caudal cruciate ligament)
- Under rotation of the proximal tibial fragment (incomplete stabilization of the stifle joint)
- Iatrogenic damage to intra-articular structures (meniscus, caudal cruciate ligament)
- Tibial fracture through the distal jig pin hole
- Bleeding from the popliteal artery
- Damage of the articular cartilage of the tibial plateau by proximally orientated screws in the minor tibial fragment
- Anesthetic death
- Poor healing of the bone
- Patella tendonitis
- Patella tendon laceration
- Arthritis
- Late meniscal tear
- Allergic suture reaction
- Seroma formation
- Bleeding or bruising of the surgical site
- Angular limb deformity
- medial patella luxation
- lateral patella luxation