ACL Repair / TPLO Surgery for Pets in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If your dog suddenly refuses to put weight on a back leg or seems to hop rather than walk, a torn knee ligament is often the reason. This kind of injury does not heal well on its own, and waiting to treat it can mean permanent joint damage, chronic pain, and a shorter, less active life for your pet.
At Bluewater Animal Health Center, we treat this injury regularly in dogs of every size and breed across Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Emerson built his approach around one core idea: listen first, then explain clearly, so pet owners always understand what is happening and why a particular treatment path makes sense for their dog. For context on the full range of procedures we handle, visit our surgery services page.
Understanding the Injury Behind ACL Repair and TPLO Surgery
The ligament most commonly injured in a dog’s knee is called the cranial cruciate ligament, and it plays the same stabilizing role that the ACL plays in a human knee. When this ligament tears, either suddenly during play or gradually from wear over time, the bones of the knee joint shift out of proper alignment every time the dog puts weight on that leg.
According to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is the most common cause of hind limb lameness and stifle osteoarthritis in dogs, and it is currently treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy as the accepted gold standard. Without surgical stabilization, instability sets off a cycle of inflammation, cartilage wear, and progressive arthritis that typically worsens over time.
Signs Your Dog May Have a Cruciate Injury
Pet owners often notice one or more of the following before an exam confirms the tear. Recognizing these early can significantly reduce the amount of joint damage that accumulates before treatment begins.
Sudden Hind Leg Limp
Your dog refuses to bear weight on one back leg after running, jumping, or rough play, often appearing to hop on three legs.
Difficulty Rising
Struggling to stand up from a lying or sitting position, especially after rest, is a consistent early sign of joint instability and pain.
Muscle Loss in the Leg
Dogs naturally shift weight away from a painful limb over time. The unused muscles in the affected leg shrink noticeably compared to the other side.
Swollen or Tender Knee
The affected knee may feel warm, look swollen, or cause a visible flinch when gently handled, indicating active joint inflammation.
If you are noticing any of these signs, an evaluation sooner rather than later can catch the injury before arthritis sets in. You can also learn more about how we approach mobility and comfort care for dogs managing pain alongside orthopedic conditions.
How We Diagnose ACL and TPLO Candidates
Before recommending surgery, we perform a hands-on orthopedic exam to check for the specific type of joint laxity that signals a cruciate tear. We follow this with digital radiographs to evaluate the angle of the tibial plateau, since that measurement helps us determine which surgical approach will give your dog the most stable, long-term outcome.
We take the time to walk through every finding with you before moving forward, because we believe pet owners make better decisions for their dogs when they fully understand what the X-rays and exam show.
What ACL Repair and TPLO Surgery Involve
There are two main surgical approaches for cruciate injuries, and the right one depends on your dog’s size, activity level, age, and tibial plateau angle measurements. We base this decision on your individual dog’s profile rather than applying a one-size-fits-all default.
| TPLO Surgery | Extracapsular Repair | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Larger, younger, or highly active dogs | Smaller dogs or specific case profiles |
| How it works | Changes the angle of the shin bone so the knee no longer needs the torn ligament for stability | Uses a strong suture placed outside the joint to mimic the stabilizing function of the original ligament |
| Durability | Restores a naturally stable gait; does not rely on a repair that can loosen over time | Appropriate and effective for dogs where TPLO is not indicated |
| Gold standard | Currently the most widely used approach for active and larger dogs | A sound, established technique when properly matched to the patient |
A young, athletic Labrador and a small senior terrier often need vastly different surgical plans, even if the underlying injury looks similar on the exam table. We discuss both options in plain language so you can make a confident decision before we proceed.
What to Expect at Each Stage of Care
Every case at Bluewater Animal Health Center moves through a structured sequence of steps so that nothing is missed and you always know what comes next.
1
Orthopedic Exam
We check for the specific joint laxity pattern that confirms a cruciate tear. This is a hands-on evaluation, not a generic assessment.
2
Digital Radiographs
We measure the tibial plateau angle from X-rays to determine which procedure is right for your dog and to confirm there are no concurrent findings to address.
3
Pre-Surgical Consultation
We walk you through the recommended procedure, expected recovery timeline, anesthesia plan, and any risks specific to your dog before scheduling.
4
Surgery and Monitoring
Your dog is monitored continuously throughout the procedure. Pre-anesthetic bloodwork and individualized drug protocols are standard on every case.
5
Recovery Plan
Structured activity restriction, pain management guidance, and rehabilitation exercises are built into the recovery plan. Most dogs regain full or near-full function of the leg.
Recovery from either procedure typically involves several weeks of strict activity restriction, followed by a gradual return to normal exercise as the joint heals and strengthens. We build a recovery plan around pain management and, when appropriate, physical rehabilitation exercises that help rebuild the muscle lost during the limping phase. For dogs managing comfort during this period, our team coordinates closely with our mobility and comfort care program.
Not sure if your dog’s limp warrants an evaluation?
We would rather see your pet sooner than wait. Schedule an orthopedic consultation and we will walk you through every finding together.
Why Fort Lauderdale Pet Owners Choose Us for Orthopedic Care
We built our practice around a stronger focus on orthopedic and pain management because we saw how often mobility issues were treated as an afterthought elsewhere. Dr. Emerson brings more than 15 years of veterinary experience to orthopedic cases, including a background in performance horse medicine that sharpened his attention to detail in high-stakes procedures. Since taking ownership of this practice in May 2026, he has been building a clinical environment focused on attentive, transparent care from the first conversation through the final follow-up.
We explain every recommendation, from the initial exam through the surgical plan, in plain language so you always know what we found and why we suggest a particular next step. We also coordinate closely with our dentistry and preventive wellness teams so that anesthesia and pre-surgical bloodwork reflect your dog’s complete health picture. Because roughly half of dogs with one torn cruciate ligament can eventually injure the other knee as well, we also talk with owners about weight management and activity modifications that can lower that risk going forward.
We serve pet owners throughout Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding communities, including families in Wilton Manors, Dania Beach, and Oakland Park who depend on us for orthopedic care close to home.
Schedule an Orthopedic Evaluation With Bluewater Animal Health Center
A limping dog is not something to wait out. The longer a cruciate injury goes untreated, the more damage accumulates in that joint. If you have noticed your dog favoring a back leg, hesitating on stairs, or struggling to rise, we would rather see your pet sooner rather than later so we can catch the problem before arthritis sets in.
Dr. Emerson and the team at Bluewater Animal Health Center are here to answer your questions and walk you through every step of the exam, diagnosis, and treatment plan. Reach out through our contact page to schedule an orthopedic evaluation.