Analogy:
Pic 1 (normal joint): The rope (cranial cruciate ligament) is holding the red car 🚗 (Femur) and preventing it from sliding down the slope⛰ (Tibia).
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Pic 2 (Rupture ligament): When the rope (cranial cruciate ligament) breaks, the red car🚗 (Femur) will continuously slide down the slope ⛰ (Tibia), resulting in pain.
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Pic 3 (TPLO): TPLO procedure changes the angle of the slope ⛰ (Tibia), hence there is no need for the rope (cranial cruciate ligament) to hold the red car🚗 (Femur) in place.
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The Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) procedure alters the angular relationship between the femur and tibia. The primary goal of this surgery is to reduce forward sliding of the tibia during movement. This is achieved by making a semicircular osteotomy at the proximal aspect of the tibia, rotating the proximal tibial segment, and stabilizing it with a bone plate to facilitate healing. This realignment of the articular surfaces within the stifle joint serves to enhance joint stability throughout the stride cycle and mitigate the development of future joint inflammation and osteoarthritis.
