A TPLO Option That Keeps Your Dog With the Team Who Knows Them Best

Specialty-level surgery from a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, backed by The inFURmary’s advanced pain management and the care team your dog already trusts.

After a cruciate tear, pet owners often end up deep in Google searches, TPLO forums, and conflicting recovery stories. It’s a lot to take in, even though doing your own research is one of the best things you can do at this moment. After supporting hundreds of families through this decision, one thing stands out: it’s not always clear how those online recommendations apply to your dog. At The inFURmary, we help you connect the dots and understand which options truly align with your dog’s specific injury, comfort, and long-term needs.

What is a TPLO surgery and why is it recommended by so many veterinarians?

TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) stabilizes the knee after a torn cruciate ligament, the canine version of an ACL tear. Instead of replacing the ligament, TPLO changes the biomechanics of the knee so your dog can walk, run, and bear weight comfortably again.

Dogs with cruciate tears often show limping or toe-touching, difficulty rising, hesitation on stairs, stiffness after rest, and pain when the knee is examined. Without stabilization (or when conservative care isn’t enough) the knee stays painful, arthritis progresses quickly, and many dogs eventually injure the opposite knee as well.

A specialty option many pet owners don’t realize they have

Most TPLO surgeries in San Diego are done at large specialty hospitals, and they provide excellent care. But many families don’t know they have another option: a board-certified orthopedic surgeon performing the same surgery in a quieter, more familiar environment, supported by our experienced team overseeing anesthesia, pain control, and recovery.

At The inFURmary, your dog receives specialty-level skill with:

  • A highly trained ACVS-boarded orthopedic surgeon
  • The inFURmary team guiding anesthesia, pain control, and follow-up
  • Continuity of communication and support before, during, and after surgery
  • A smaller, more personal environment that feels less overwhelming
  • A surgical cost that is often more accessible for many pet owners

The pain-management advantage

Success with TPLO recovery depends heavily on pain control, and this is where The inFURmary stands apart. Our founder, Dr. Johnson, is fellowship-trained in pain management—one of the few veterinarians in San Diego with this level of expertise.

This means each dog’s comfort plan for their TPLO surgery includes balanced anesthesia to keep doses low and safety high, long-acting local nerve blocks, continuous-rate infusions for steady pain relief, and post-operative scoring so medication is adjusted in real time. Since dogs frequently injure both knees, we also evaluate the non-surgical knee at the same time to help discover and treat any additional pain and keep your dog comfortable.

The result? Your dog wakes up calmer, feels better sooner, and recovers more safely.

TPLO pricing in San Diego

TPLO surgeries at The inFURmary typically range from $5,000–$5,500, depending on your dog’s size and specific needs. Specialty hospitals in San Diego often range from $6,000–$7,500+.

The difference isn’t the quality of surgery; your dog is still operated on by a board-certified surgeon. The difference is our approach to the aftercare model: more personalized support, advanced pain management built into every step, a calmer environment, and continuity from the team who already knows your dog (and you!).

What to expect with your dog’s TPLO recovery

A typical TPLO recovery takes 4–6 months and requires patience, structure, and a bit of creativity at home. It’s a commitment, but The InFURmary team has supported hundreds of pet owners through smooth, successful TPLO recoveries.

Many pet owners find comfort in joining TPLO recovery groups or community forums. Those spaces can be incredibly helpful for practical tips and emotional reassurance during the tougher moments. For anything medical—pain concerns, limping, incision questions—we want you to come directly to us so we can guide you with advice tailored to your dog’s case.

Gradual return to full mobility Weeks 9+ Rest, incision care, limited movement Weeks 1-2 Controlled increase in activity Weeks 3-7 Follow-up x-rays to measure healing Week 8

Common Questions About TPLO Surgery

Diagnosis includes an orthopedic exam, checking for instability such as the drawer sign or tibial thrust, gait assessment, knee palpation, and X-rays to evaluate secondary changes. Some dogs need light sedation for a thorough and accurate exam.

Partial tears often progress to full tears. Depending on your dog’s size, activity level, and symptoms, we may recommend rest and re-evaluation or discuss surgical options before the joint deteriorates further. We’ll guide you through both paths.

If your dog has significant instability, pain, or a partial or full cruciate tear, a TPLO surgery is often the most effective way to restore comfort and function so they live a happy and pain-free life. We’ll examine your dog, review imaging together, and explain whether surgery is the right call, or if another option is a reasonable choice.

Dogs hide pain exceptionally well. Many compensate with the opposite leg or adjust posture in ways that mask discomfort. Instability itself is painful, even when they don’t vocalize. We’ll show you what we see on exam so you can make an informed decision.

Sometimes. Rest, anti-inflammatories, weight management, and physical therapy can help very small dogs or dogs with partial tears. For medium and large dogs—or full tears—these measures usually don’t stabilize the knee long-term, often leading to pain and arthritis as they enter their senior years. We’ll tell you honestly whether conservative care is appropriate for your dog.

Without stabilization, the knee remains painful and unstable. Arthritis accelerates, mobility declines, and many dogs eventually injure the opposite knee. Small dogs may cope for longer, but long-term comfort without surgery is unlikely. We’ll walk you through your dog’s specific prognosis so you can decide what makes sense for your dog and your family.

Board-certified surgeons complete a multi-year residency, perform hundreds of orthopedic procedures, publish research, and pass a rigorous exam. General practitioners may perform some orthopedic surgeries, but boarded surgeons bring a level of precision and training that is especially valuable for an orthopedic surgery like a TPLO. At The inFURmary, your dog receives true orthopedic expertise supported by our team’s advanced pain-management training.

No. TPLO stabilizes the knee so your dog can move safely again, but it cannot stop arthritis from developing. Once a ligament tears, the joint is already inflamed and more prone to ongoing degeneration. What you can do is slow that process and keep your dog comfortable. We typically recommend yearly rechecks and, for many dogs, periodic joint injections to reduce inflammation and limit the progression of arthritis over time.

Our TPLO procedures generally range from $5,000–$5,500, which includes follow-up X-rays and sedation at 8 weeks post-operation. Specialty hospitals in San Diego often charge $6,500–$7,500+ for their TPLO surgeries. While both options provide high-quality care, our model is designed to make specialty-level surgery more accessible while giving you more continuity, more communication, and advanced pain management built into every step.

Your job is to manage rest, movement, and any signs of pain. Our job is to support you with tools that make recovery smoother. We offer post-operative shockwave, targeted pain-management plans, and an optional home-use laser rental to keep your dog comfortable between visits. These treatments can help reduce inflammation, control pain, and support a faster, safer return to normal function.

TPLO can feel like a big decision, but you don’t have to make it alone. Schedule a consultation, ask your questions, and let us walk you through the options and next steps.
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