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Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Guidelines following TPLO

Week 1:
Ice pack application to the surgical site is encouraged for the first 3 days following surgery. Ten
minutes of treatment 2-3 times per day. Use a thin cloth (hand towel, bandana, etc.) between your
pet’s skin and ice pack.

Gentle massage of the upper limb and knee will help reduce stiffness and promote circulation. This
may not be tolerated until a couple days following surgery. Massage 2-3 times daily for 5-10
minutes is recommended.

Passive Range of Motion (ROM) exercise promotes early return to function of the mechanics of the
limb. Cycle the limb without forcing flexing and extending the joints of the hip, knee, and ankle.
This can be performed for 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times daily.

Short walks are recommended if your pet is toe-touching on the operated limb. This usually is by
day 3 following surgery. Go very slow and limit to 5 minutes 2-3 times daily. If your pet is not
willing to place the toes and limps, use a towel sling under the belly to help support your pet’s
weight. (These walks are good to incorporate into restroom breaks outside)

Week 2:
Continue massage and ROM. Walks may be increased to 10 minutes 2-3 times daily. -Remember
that your pet’s stitches or skin staples should be removed at recheck.

Weeks 3-5:
Continue massage and ROM. If ROM is normal (compare to opposite limb) it may be discontinued
at this time.

Incision massage may begin one week after stitches or skin staples are removed. This is helpful to
mobilize the skin and prevent tissue layers from restricting limb movement due to excessive
scarring under the skin.

Walking on leash can be extended to 15 minutes 2-3 times daily.

Weeks 5-6:
Increase on leash walking time to 20 minutes 2-3 times daily.

Weeks 6-12:
Increase walking times by 5 minutes each week.

• Recheck appointment with radiographs (x-ray images) should be made around the 8th week
  following surgery.
• Uneven terrain and slow stair use is recommended if the 8 week radiographs show appropriate
  bone healing.
• At around 12 weeks’ post-surgery a final recheck evaluation should be performed prior to gradual
  resumption of normal activity. Progress slowly to allow reconditioning of musculoskeletal system.

Dustin Devine DVM, MS, DACVS , Jenny & TPLO2GO