This surgeon is TPLO certified (tibial plateau levelling osteomy), which is part of why I felt so good about using him. Do you think this is the same as the tibial crest movement your vet mentioned?

Thank you!!! :)

I'm confused, if he's certified in TPLO, he is board certified. I believe a TPLO surgeon is the one who does the surgery for Luxating Patella. Are you talking about the same surgeon? See this link for more information: Limb Alignment

I was a little confused by this, too, so I just called his office again to ask. The receptionist didn't know so she put me right through to Dr. Henson & I've spent the last 30 minutes on the phone with him. I really, really like this doctor. He said he is not board certified and explained that the TPLO is more like a specialized license and is not a wide-spectrum certification like those given by the board. He gave me the name of the only board certified surgeon in Tulsa (whose name had not come up at all in my research or in the referrals I got), and offered to give me his phone # and other information. I declined and told him that he had come so highly recommended that I didn't need the other doctor's info (of course I'm googling him now). This other surgeon is also the only other TPLO certified doctor in Tulsa.

The TPLO does refer to the tibial crest movement that is often needed in LP procedures (yay). Dr. Henson was so knowledgeable and informative - he didn't seem rushed by all my questions and he answered them in detail but in ways I could understand. He explained the process & purpose of using a pin (transplant) in a tibial crest movement, explained how they now saved the cartilege & reinserted it during the wedge or block trochleaplasty (I was taking so many notes, I hope I got all the terms right). He has an excellent success rate on his LP surgeries (I think he said about 95%) and he's been doing them for many years.

I feel sooooo much better after talking with him! He just has that comfortable, soothing manner and I could tell he really know what he's talking about!!

Oh, the cost is $1,200 - $1,500 for one knee (a little more if both knees need work). I thought this sounded reasonable. What do you guys think?

Ok, I think I understand now, it is confusing! He does sound wonderful, I just love doctors who can calm me down, and give me confidence that everything will be ok. It also sounds like he would be the type to tell you if you do need to see someone else, so many doctors's egos won't allow them to do this. From what I've read concerning price that seems to be standard for one knee, but that's the price per knee, and no discount is given if it's more than one. Have you read thread by Stedmansmommy, she recently went through this with her little girl, Tatum. The thread is huge, but just reading her posts might help. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...y-prayers.html

He girlie- sooooooo sorry I missed this thread. I have SUCH mixed feelings on the board-certified thing. That said, we live in a smaller area. There is a referral center here with several board-certified surgeons. These surgeons are all relatively young and have only recently been boarded. You must be in practice five years before you can look into becoming board-certified, so while they do have experience in veterinary medicine and surgery, five years is not much considering the different procedures and possible complications due to practicing medicine and being a surgeon.

Anyway, we chose a surgeon who is not a board-certified surgeon. He is an orthopedic specialist for outdoor and sporting dogs. He has owned this practice since 1982. He is the only vet in the Northwest (aside from the one vet school here) that does a canine total hip replacement, his practice is a national referral center for four different orthopedic procedures, he is frequently a speaker at AVMA meetings, is certified in TPLO and designed and produced the TATE elbow (total arthroplasty of the elbow). He called me himself when I was inquiring about surgery. My husband's colleague (a board-certified equine surgeon) has taken two of his dogs there for surgery, despite the fact it is three hours away and there is a referral center right in town. My personal vet said he wouldn't hesitate to have Randy do any surgical procedure on any of his clients.

What have the three board-cert surgeons here in town done? Um, published some journal articles. Sorry- but there is no question who the best choice for me was.

I think people get too hung up on the board-cert. thing. Yes, it is an extra credential, but honestly, Nancy is correct- they only need to perform to the minimum standard. Is this a better option than your typical small town practice where they still are 10 years behind the most recent veterinary research? Absolutely.

I am just saying look at the whole entire picture. I am so glad you made your decision the right way- you sought out reviews and experience with that particular surgeon, and did your research. I think you made the best decision for YOU which is the most important!!!

Let me know when your date is set. Ranger is five weeks post-op today!

Oh yes, I've been following the thread on Tatum closely. Brooke has already given me tons of great advice! :)

You make an excellent point with this line "It also sounds like he would be the type to tell you if you do need to see someone else, so many doctors's egos won't allow them to do this." I definitely got this same impression from him. I just had a good feeling about him in general. I tend to ask a LOT of questions, no matter what the subject, & I really appreciate the professionals that take the time to answer honestly, completely and in a way that doesn't feel like they're 'talking down' to me.

They didn't say how much it would be if both knees were done, just that is would be a little more. I guess it may not be double the cost of one because they don't have to use more anesthesia/drugs, no additional hospital stay, no extra pre-op work, etc. but, again, I'm just guessing (& hoping lol).

You sound like me, I don't calm down when doctors say things like, "Relax, he'll be fine," I calm down when they answer all my questions in a satisfactory way, without patronizing me; that's what gives me the confidence.

Five weeks? ALREADY?!?! Congratulations! I bet Ranger is gonna be soooooo happy next week! :D How's he doing? Are the little legs feeling ok?

Thanks so much for your input! I was really hoping you'd see this thread. As I'm sure you know, the whole concept of this terrifies me, but it really helps to hear from others who've been through it, too. For me the hardest decision wasn't whether or not she'd have the surgery (her little knees will definitely need it), but who would I choose to trust her with to do the surgery. Since I know NOTHING about vets or medicine, I really had no clue! Thanks to all of you, I'm comfortable (for now anyway lol) that I've made the choice that works for us.

Thank you!!!! :)

Im glad you got all your questions answered...it is pretty confusing to understand all the medical terms about this. It was my understanding that not all patella surgery needs the tibial crest movement, but, in Olivers xrays, I guess it showed he did. I paid just under 2400.00 for both legs same time. Oliver is worth all that and more to me...:) I wish you good luck in your decision...i know the stress of making the decision and then getting through the waits....please feel free to ask me anything anytime!. :D

Thank you! I may just take you up on that! I'm already thinking ahead to having to confine her & I'm dreading it so much!! I call Chelsea my 'wild child'. She only has 2 speeds - full throttle or asleep lol!

One suggestion....lots of bully sticks!! I bought them from AMD. He is having a ball! and no stink! :D Well, if they really do help clean the teeth...Oliver should be glowing in the dark by the time his confinement is over!! lol:D I took these today!!:D
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:lol tears:eyetearss "Oliver should be glowing in the dark by the time his confinement is over!!" Hee hee, oh the pictures going through my mind!!


OMGosh I love those pics. He has one of the cutest faces ever!

My guys love their bully sticks from AMD (& so do I)! I'll be sure to put in a BIG order ahead of time. Thanks for the tip!! :)