TPLO Surgery - YorkieTalk.com Forums

pfisteaj · 05-19-2014, 03:51 PM

Hello, I am new to this forum, but have found it to be very helpful in the past when looking for information.

I have an 11 pound yorkie-poo who tore her ACL a few months ago. After meeting with the orthopedic surgeon, he thought that TPLO surgery would be the best option available for her. We went through with the surgery, which was 9 weeks ago now. At first, she was recovering ahead of schedule. At her 2 week re-check we got the ok to start physical therapy. She attended physical therapy with a certified therapist twice a week where she walked on an underwater treadmill. Throughout her recovery, use of her leg has been very on and off. She will walk on it fine, then 5 minutes later she will be lame (hopping on 3 legs again) for a while. This has continued throughout her recovery, and seems to be getting worse. At our 8 week recheck last week with the surgeon, he performed an x-ray and said that her bone was completely healed. In regards to her intermittent lameness, he suggested that we remove the plate and pins at this time, as he believes that they are either bothering her or that there is an infection in the plate. Has this happened to anyone? Or has anyone had the plate removed?

I hate to make her go through surgery again, but can't see her limping anymore! She is only 2 years old and a very active dog!

Thanks.

Lovetodream88 · 05-19-2014, 04:17 PM

A few years ago Callie had a partial ACL tear as well as her LP fixed. They used pins and a few weeks after she was cleared for physical therapy she all of a sudden started limping bad again so we went to the surgeon and he checked and I think did X-rays and her pin needed to come out because it was hurting and irritating her so they had to remove it.

pfisteaj · 05-19-2014, 04:19 PM

Did her limp improve after her pin was removed? I am scared to put her through another surgery, and not have anything improve.

Lovetodream88 · 05-19-2014, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfisteaj

Did her limp improve after her pin was removed? I am scared to put her through another surgery, and not have anything improve.

Yes there was a difference right away and by the next day it was much better.

alaskayorkie · 05-19-2014, 04:36 PM

I've had surgery to repair the ACL (CCL in dogs) three times on Yorkies, and each of the three vets elected not to try the TPLO on dogs that small. Two of the vets were board certified surgeons. Instead, they decided to use monofilament and go with the more primitive procedure.

The recovery was quick and complete all three times. I suspect one surgery about 5 years ago is loosening a bit on Eddie, but he's shown no pain or limping.

I've heard nothing but good things about TPLO on larger dogs. If the vet would have said that's what he wanted to do, I'd have been delighted.

In a perfect world you'd get a second opinion from a board certified surgeon. One surgery should have solved the problem. Then again, I'm no expert. This may be very common.

ladyjane · 05-19-2014, 05:20 PM

I have had quite a few pups with torn ACL's who had TPLO surgery. The surgeon I use is highly skilled with TPLO surgery and there is no reason that small dogs cannot have this surgery. Different surgeons prefer different methods for CCL repairs....really the issue is what is best for the pup. Sometimes, the implants do need to be removed....it is not a terribly complicated surgery to remove them. Once the leg is healed they really don't serve a purpose anyway.

I have had pups that needed pins removed following luxating patella surgery (after healing was done) and they were home the same day. The recovery period was relatively short as well.

A second opinion is not a bad idea if you are not comfortable with things. I am honestly surprised that she went to physical therapy at two weeks. I have never done that at any point and the pups recovered nicely. At two weeks they were only allowed short leash walks to go to the bathroom. I do hope this issue isn't that the surgery has failed; but the surgeon should know if that is the case.

pfisteaj · 05-19-2014, 05:39 PM

When I met with the surgeon for the 8-week follow-up and X-ray, he said that her bone was completely healed and that everything in her leg was very stable. He did not believe it to be a failed surgery. He noticed some fluid around her knee that caused him some concern for possible infection. He had thought that the plate was possibly infected, or just simply irritating her muscle. He had suggested that the next step would be to take the plate and pins out. I didn't want to jump into anything right away, so he gave me a prescription for antibiotics for 2 weeks to see if her lameness would improve, but I haven't seen much improvement.

The physical therapy wasn't started until she was 4 weeks post-op under the discretion of the surgeon and a physical therapist. They had her do hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) twice a week, starting at 3 minutes and slowly increasing by 1-2minutes each session.

She is not consistently lame on her leg. There will be times where she walks like nothing is wrong, and then times where she will hop on 3 legs. I'm not sure if the pin and plate are just irritating her? I am just so frustrated because I want to see her get better.

ladyjane · 05-19-2014, 06:11 PM

One of our members recently had the pins removed from her pup's leg. He had an infection in one of the pins.

I will reach out to her to see if she can share her experience with you.

I understand your hesitation, but taking the pins out is really not a major thing.

alaskayorkie · 05-19-2014, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have had quite a few pups with torn ACL's who had TPLO surgery. The surgeon I use is highly skilled with TPLO surgery and there is no reason that small dogs cannot have this surgery. Different surgeons prefer different methods for CCL repairs....really the issue is what is best for the pup. Sometimes, the implants do need to be removed....it is not a terribly complicated surgery to remove them. Once the leg is healed they really don't serve a purpose anyway.

I have had pups that needed pins removed following luxating patella surgery (after healing was done) and they were home the same day. The recovery period was relatively short as well.

A second opinion is not a bad idea if you are not comfortable with things. I am honestly surprised that she went to physical therapy at two weeks. I have never done that at any point and the pups recovered nicely. At two weeks they were only allowed short leash walks to go to the bathroom. I do hope this issue isn't that the surgery has failed; but the surgeon should know if that is the case.

Oh, thanks, Ladyjane! I had no experience in TPLO, so I appreciate your weighing in.

ladyjane · 05-19-2014, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskayorkie

Oh, thanks, Ladyjane! I had no experience in TPLO, so I appreciate your weighing in.

And, I have way too much. Trying to forget my way to that place.

katy-yorkie · 05-19-2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfisteaj

When I met with the surgeon for the 8-week follow-up and X-ray, he said that her bone was completely healed and that everything in her leg was very stable. He did not believe it to be a failed surgery. He noticed some fluid around her knee that caused him some concern for possible infection. He had thought that the plate was possibly infected, or just simply irritating her muscle. He had suggested that the next step would be to take the plate and pins out. I didn't want to jump into anything right away, so he gave me a prescription for antibiotics for 2 weeks to see if her lameness would improve, but I haven't seen much improvement.

The physical therapy wasn't started until she was 4 weeks post-op under the discretion of the surgeon and a physical therapist. They had her do hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) twice a week, starting at 3 minutes and slowly increasing by 1-2minutes each session.

She is not consistently lame on her leg. There will be times where she walks like nothing is wrong, and then times where she will hop on 3 legs. I'm not sure if the pin and plate are just irritating her? I am just so frustrated because I want to see her get better.

I would have the plate and pins removed. Buster had the TPLO done three years ago and the plate and pins were removed about seven months later. He has had LP surgery as well as a tibia tuberosity and a bone graft on the same knee. The pins and hardware were all removed a couple of weeks ago. He had gotten an infection and the surgeon felt it was best to remove everything. The surgery is only about a thirty minute procedure and he came home the same day.

He does limp but not nearly as bad as he did with the pins and hardware in his leg. He seems to be doing much better. He went through PT but I don't think that did him much good. It seemed to hurt him more than help him. I don't worry as much about him limping as I do when he can't put weight on the leg or if he "walks different". Walking different is what sent us back to the surgeon to find out that he had an infection and that it would be best to have the hardware/implants removed.

pfisteaj · 05-20-2014, 09:17 AM

Thank you for everyone's help. Your input was much appreciated. I have agreed to go through with the plate/pins removal. My little girl goes into surgery tomorrow. Hopefully this will resolve her lameness.

pfisteaj · 05-20-2014, 09:19 AM

Thank you to everyone who responded. Your input was much appreciated I have agreed to go through with the plate/pins removal. My little girl goes into surgery tomorrow. Hopefully this will resolve her lameness in the leg.

pfisteaj · 05-20-2014, 09:35 AM

Thank you to everyone that responded. Your input was much appreciated. My little girl goes into surgery tomorrow for plate/pins removal. Hopefully everything goes well and this resolves her lameness in the leg.

Lovetodream88 · 05-20-2014, 12:08 PM

Please let use know how it goes. Keeping her in my prayers.

05-19-2014, 03:51 PM	#1
pfisteaj Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 12	TPLO Surgery Hello, I am new to this forum, but have found it to be very helpful in the past when looking for information. I have an 11 pound yorkie-poo who tore her ACL a few months ago. After meeting with the orthopedic surgeon, he thought that TPLO surgery would be the best option available for her. We went through with the surgery, which was 9 weeks ago now. At first, she was recovering ahead of schedule. At her 2 week re-check we got the ok to start physical therapy. She attended physical therapy with a certified therapist twice a week where she walked on an underwater treadmill. Throughout her recovery, use of her leg has been very on and off. She will walk on it fine, then 5 minutes later she will be lame (hopping on 3 legs again) for a while. This has continued throughout her recovery, and seems to be getting worse. At our 8 week recheck last week with the surgeon, he performed an x-ray and said that her bone was completely healed. In regards to her intermittent lameness, he suggested that we remove the plate and pins at this time, as he believes that they are either bothering her or that there is an infection in the plate. Has this happened to anyone? Or has anyone had the plate removed? I hate to make her go through surgery again, but can't see her limping anymore! She is only 2 years old and a very active dog! Thanks.

05-19-2014, 04:17 PM	#2
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	A few years ago Callie had a partial ACL tear as well as her LP fixed. They used pins and a few weeks after she was cleared for physical therapy she all of a sudden started limping bad again so we went to the surgeon and he checked and I think did X-rays and her pin needed to come out because it was hurting and irritating her so they had to remove it. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

05-19-2014, 04:36 PM	#5
alaskayorkie Banning Thread Dictator Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anchorage Posts: 30,843 Blog Entries: 57	I've had surgery to repair the ACL (CCL in dogs) three times on Yorkies, and each of the three vets elected not to try the TPLO on dogs that small. Two of the vets were board certified surgeons. Instead, they decided to use monofilament and go with the more primitive procedure. The recovery was quick and complete all three times. I suspect one surgery about 5 years ago is loosening a bit on Eddie, but he's shown no pain or limping. I've heard nothing but good things about TPLO on larger dogs. If the vet would have said that's what he wanted to do, I'd have been delighted. In a perfect world you'd get a second opinion from a board certified surgeon. One surgery should have solved the problem. Then again, I'm no expert. This may be very common. __________________ Mike ~ Doting Dad to Jillie, Harper, Molly, Cooper, Eddie (RIP), Lucy (RIP), Rusty (RIP) and Jack (RIP). Check us out on YouTube

05-19-2014, 05:20 PM	#6
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,451	I have had quite a few pups with torn ACL's who had TPLO surgery. The surgeon I use is highly skilled with TPLO surgery and there is no reason that small dogs cannot have this surgery. Different surgeons prefer different methods for CCL repairs....really the issue is what is best for the pup. Sometimes, the implants do need to be removed....it is not a terribly complicated surgery to remove them. Once the leg is healed they really don't serve a purpose anyway. I have had pups that needed pins removed following luxating patella surgery (after healing was done) and they were home the same day. The recovery period was relatively short as well. A second opinion is not a bad idea if you are not comfortable with things. I am honestly surprised that she went to physical therapy at two weeks. I have never done that at any point and the pups recovered nicely. At two weeks they were only allowed short leash walks to go to the bathroom. I do hope this issue isn't that the surgery has failed; but the surgeon should know if that is the case. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP Last edited by ladyjane; 05-19-2014 at 05:23 PM.

05-19-2014, 06:11 PM	#8
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,451	One of our members recently had the pins removed from her pup's leg. He had an infection in one of the pins. I will reach out to her to see if she can share her experience with you. I understand your hesitation, but taking the pins out is really not a major thing. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

05-19-2014, 04:19 PM	#3
pfisteaj Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 12	Did her limp improve after her pin was removed? I am scared to put her through another surgery, and not have anything improve.

05-19-2014, 05:39 PM	#7
pfisteaj Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 12	When I met with the surgeon for the 8-week follow-up and X-ray, he said that her bone was completely healed and that everything in her leg was very stable. He did not believe it to be a failed surgery. He noticed some fluid around her knee that caused him some concern for possible infection. He had thought that the plate was possibly infected, or just simply irritating her muscle. He had suggested that the next step would be to take the plate and pins out. I didn't want to jump into anything right away, so he gave me a prescription for antibiotics for 2 weeks to see if her lameness would improve, but I haven't seen much improvement. The physical therapy wasn't started until she was 4 weeks post-op under the discretion of the surgeon and a physical therapist. They had her do hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) twice a week, starting at 3 minutes and slowly increasing by 1-2minutes each session. She is not consistently lame on her leg. There will be times where she walks like nothing is wrong, and then times where she will hop on 3 legs. I'm not sure if the pin and plate are just irritating her? I am just so frustrated because I want to see her get better.

05-20-2014, 09:17 AM	#12
pfisteaj Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 12	Thank you for everyone's help. Your input was much appreciated. I have agreed to go through with the plate/pins removal. My little girl goes into surgery tomorrow. Hopefully this will resolve her lameness.

05-20-2014, 09:19 AM	#13
pfisteaj Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 12	Thank you to everyone who responded. Your input was much appreciated I have agreed to go through with the plate/pins removal. My little girl goes into surgery tomorrow. Hopefully this will resolve her lameness in the leg.

05-20-2014, 09:35 AM	#14
pfisteaj Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 12	Thank you to everyone that responded. Your input was much appreciated. My little girl goes into surgery tomorrow for plate/pins removal. Hopefully everything goes well and this resolves her lameness in the leg.

05-20-2014, 12:08 PM	#15
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	Please let use know how it goes. Keeping her in my prayers. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!