Top TPLO Surgeons in North County San Diego

Dr. David Demner, DVM, Diplomate, ACVS

Dr. David Demner is a board-certified surgeon and is one of the most trusted veterinarians for fracture repair and TPLO surgery in San Diego County for cruciate (ACL) injuries.

 

Dr. Demner’s vision is to deliver the best surgical care to animals and their owners in the comfort and familiarity of their primary care hospital… while receiving the same expert care found at specialty centers at a fraction of the price. He enjoys all aspects of surgery, but his specific interests include orthopedic, and soft tissue surgery.

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Why Choose Us For Your Dog’s TPLO Surgery?

Our mission is simple: to provide specialty-level surgical solutions in the comfort and convenience of our primary care facility. Experience the gold standard in veterinary care without the premium price tag. Choose us for a seamless blend of specialty services, compassion, and affordability tailored to your pet’s needs.

  • Affordable TPLO surgery
  • Board-certified surgeon
  • Hundreds of TPLO surgeries performed
  • Experience means fewer complications and better outcomes

Our veterinary team conducts each TPLO procedure with precision and expertise, prioritizing your pet’s well-being and facilitating a smoother recovery process.

What is TPLO Surgery?

When a dog has a damaged CCL, TPLO surgery can be a critical procedure to help restore stability and function to the knee, prevent further damage, and improve the dog’s overall quality of life.

 

TPLO, or Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, involves a surgical procedure where a portion of bone is removed from the tibia’s head, rotated to a specific angle, and then stabilized with plates and screws. By altering the tibial plateau angle, this technique enhances your dogs knee joint stability by reducing its steepness. To ensure the bones heal correctly and stabilize the joint, TPLO surgery utilizes locking plates and screws. These fixtures are designed to remain in place post-healing, providing ongoing support.

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tears In Dogs

TPLO surgery is often necessitated by specific types of accidents or conditions that cause damage to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs. Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears are a common issue in dogs, often manifesting as rear leg lameness.

 

If your dog has is exhibiting limping, swelling around the knee, reduced activity level, stiffness, pain sudden yelps during movement or an audible clicking sound, your dog may be a candidate for TPLO surgery. Our veterinary team can perform the necessary diagnostic tests to determine the best course of action.

 

Similar to human knees, dogs’ knee joints, known as stifle joints, are engineered to absorb impact. The stifle joint consists of the femur, the tibia, and the patella, along with four crucial ligaments responsible for maintaining joint stability. Among these ligaments, the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) plays a vital role and can be likened to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans. TPLO surgery is commonly utilized in veterinary practice to address ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments (CCL) in dogs.

What To Expect with TPLO Surgery

Before TPLO Surgery
Prior to scheduling your dog's TPLO, we will need to confirm a diagnosis through an initial consultation. During this consultation your pet will likely be sedated in order for our veterinarian to perform an orthopedic exam. After a ligament tear reaches a certain severity, it becomes possible to detect instability through manual manipulation in what is known as the "cranial drawer test." This test involves moving the tibia forward in relation to the femur. Additionally, another indication, called tibial thrust, may also be observed. During this test, the knee is subjected to weight-bearing simulation, revealing forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur. While the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) itself isn't visible on an x-ray, radiographic imaging can still aid in confirming a diagnosis of a CCL rupture by revealing alterations within the joint resulting from the injury. These changes might manifest as effusion (excessive fluid in the stifle), signs of arthritis, and anterior displacement of the tibia compared to the femur. Additionally, radiographs serve to exclude any concurrent injuries that may be present.
Throughout the initial eight weeks post-surgery, we rely entirely on the implants (plate and screws) to stabilize the surgical site. Bone healing typically requires a minimum of eight weeks, allowing for the formation of robust scar tissue. During this critical period, it's imperative to confine your pet to a kennel or a small room until radiographs indicate satisfactory bone healing. Engaging in activities such as running indoors or outdoors, jumping on or off furniture, or playing may result in severe complications.
If a bandage or wound dressing was applied, you may need to schedule a recheck appointment for its removal. Your pet should be assessed 10-14 days after surgery to monitor incision healing; if skin sutures were used, they will need removal at this time. Please arrange this appointment with your veterinarian. If lameness persists or your pet's condition doesn't improve, X-rays may be necessary to confirm proper implant positioning and evidence of healing. Around eight weeks post-surgery, your veterinarian will need to take X-rays to ensure complete bone healing before resuming normal activity. The implants are intended to remain for life; however, if your pet experiences pain, infection, or irritation, implant removal can be performed easily.
Sudden Injury: Acute trauma during vigorous play, jumping, or a bad landing can tear the CCL. This is one of the most frequent scenarios, especially in active or athletic dogs. Degenerative Changes: Unlike a sudden tear from an accident, some dogs experience a gradual weakening of the CCL due to degenerative changes. This can eventually lead to a complete tear even from a minor activity. Obesity: Excessive weight places additional stress on a dog's joints, including the knees, which can lead to CCL injuries. Obesity is a significant risk factor for CCL problems. Genetic Predisposition: Certain breeds, like Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and Newfoundlands, are genetically predisposed to CCL injuries, possibly due to the conformation (structure and alignment) of their legs and joints. Repetitive Motion: Dogs that engage in activities involving repetitive jumping or turning can develop stress injuries to the CCL over time. Age-Related Wear and Tear: Older dogs may suffer from CCL injuries as part of the aging process, where tissues naturally weaken and are less able to withstand normal stresses. Conformational Issues: Dogs with certain anatomical features, such as a steep tibial plateau angle, are more prone to CCL injuries because of the increased biomechanical stress on the ligament.

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  • 997 W. San Marcos Blvd, Suite 102A

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