I know there have been recent discussions about knee surgery, but I would like to just discuss the TPLO procedure.

The surgeon has recommended the TPLO surgery to fix Jet's knee and I researched it, but it is a massively invasive procedure. I was wondering how many have had this done to their dog and what was the outcome good or bad.

Brian, I have spent the last week and a half researching this extensively. If Caleb needed surgery, I would've undoubtledly done the TPLO. For young, active, working-line dogs like ours, the stability and return to function seems far superior. Some traditional has been very successful (like Will's rottie) but the problem is that there is no uniform protocol for this type. Meaning surgeons can do their own variation, use different materials, etc, and some work far better than others. If one was much better than the rest, you'd think they'd all do it one way, wouldn't you? Jet is not as big as Caleb (lucky!) but I know you're very interested in SAR, so if it were my dog (and it very nearly was!) I wouldn't even consider anything but the TPLO. MAKE SURE THE SURGEON IS BOARD CERTIFIED! This can have devastating consequences if not performed perfectly, and the patent recently expired, meaning any old guy can do the procedure now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> If I still have your email, I'll scan my favorite studies and send them to you. Poor Jet needs this taken care of once and for all.

Thanks Jenni, I agree the that TPLO seems to be a very stable procedure, I am just freaked out by all of the parts and such, turning Jet into RoboJet. I cant believe that they have not developed a procedure that uses a cadavr tendon the way they do in humans, or if they have why does it not work as well as the TPLO? Unfortunatly or fortunatly I have about a month before I need to make a decision, there has to be no sign of an infection.

Also, thanks for the reminder, I did check and the surgeon is Board Certified and trained by Slocum.

It seems that because dogs stand differently than we do, there is too much pressure on the knee to use a cadaver ligament...even though the knees are the same as ours. So, the TPLO stabilizes the knee so the ligament is unnecessary.