If your dog (or cat) is showing signs of pain in their joints, leg, or hip, you should schedule a consultation. They will get a thorough examination and diagnosis and you will be provided with potential treatment options.
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The TPLO Specialists
Serving San Mateo, San Francisco and the greater bay area.
Who We Are
Lenity, a premier specialty and emergency veterinary hospital in the Bay Area, is renowned for its advanced orthopedic services, particularly as a leading TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) specialist, offering tailored care for dogs with cranial cruciate ligament injuries. Lenity’s Advanced Orthopedic Center, led by Dr. Kimberly Carlson—a specialist celebrated for her meticulous attention to detail and strong connections with pet owners—provides cutting-edge treatments for a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including trauma, joint diseases affecting the knee, elbow, and shoulder, and congenital disorders. Utilizing advanced technologies such as minimally invasive imaging, tiny cameras, and 3D-printed models, Lenity ensures precise diagnosis and treatment. The hospital offers comprehensive services like fracture management, arthroscopy/nanoscopy, angular limb correction, total joint replacement, and chronic pain management, and is the only center in the Bay Area providing the BioMedtrix Total Hip Replacement System for pets with hip diseases.
What Is TPLO?
What It Is, What Causes It, and How We Treat It
TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) is a procedure that is performed on pets that have suffered damage to the knee, and helps to provide stability and comfort to the knee. TPLO is a recommended treatment for a CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament) injury in pets, especially when a pet has suffered from a CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament) injury.
TPLO Surgery changes the angle of the plateau of the tibia to stabilize the joint and is usually the best option for all breeds and sizes of dogs including cats.
Does Your Pet Have Joint Issues
Does your pet show signs of pain, limp, or sit down after taking just a few steps? If so, they may have a joint issue that needs to be examined.
TPLO Treatment
The most successful surgical technique used to provide stability and comfort to the knee.
TPLO is short for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.
A TPLO is the most recommended treatment for a CCL injury in pets. Surgery changes the angle of the plateau of the tibia to stabilize the joint. TPLO is usually the best option for all breeds and sizes of dogs including cats.
About The TPLO Procedure
More Than Relief, True Treatment
In surgery, the joint is explored via arthroscopy or arthrotomy to confirm the diagnosis and to inspect the meniscus for injury. The plateau is then levelled and held in its new orientation with a stainless steel or titanium bone plate (implant).
Postoperative x-rays are taken to confirm leveling of the plateau and positioning of the implant. Patients spend one night in the hospital for postoperative care and recovery from anesthesia.
Assuming the postoperative instructions are followed, it is not likely that additional treatment would be needed.
Why Choose Lenity for TPLO Treatment?
Get personalized care - even for pets with pre-existing conditions
Lenity is a specialty veterinary hospital with a board-certified anesthesiologist on staff. We offer anesthetic plans tailored to your pet’s breed, age, health, and procedure, minimizing risks and maximizing comfort.
Our surgeons are highly skilled in managing complex and challenging cases, especially pets with pre-existing conditions.
If your dog or cat is in need of TPLO, consider choosing Lenity to ensure you and your pet get the best care in the San Mateo and San Francisco area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What TPLO Is, our treatment, and much more.
How do I prepare for a surgical consultation?
On the morning of the surgical consultation, please do not feed your pet (water is fine.) Bring any medications your pet has been prescribed or has taken, along with x-rays, MRls, and CT scans that you have of your pet. You do not need to worry about medical records and bloodwork, we will contact your veterinarian for those. If the blood test results are from more than 4 weeks prior, we may perform bloodwork on the day of the procedure.
What should I expect if my pet needs surgery?
We will go over everything with you in the event your pet requires surgery.
On the day of the surgery, we will meet with you to gather complete contact information (including multiple phone numbers) in case of emergency. We will give you an estimate for when your pet’s surgery will be complete so that you know when to expect a call from the veterinarian. Someone from our surgery team will contact you at the beginning of the induction process to keep you updated.
My pet just had surgery. How do I care for them?
It’s important to make sure they’re taking it easy. Keep contact with other people (especially children) and other pets to a minimum.
Do not allow them to lick or disturb the incision site. Your pet will be sent home with a collar to prevent this activity. If your pet can get around the collar please call us immediately.
Is my home OK for my pet post op?
If you have floors like hardwood or tile, you may need to provide sturdy rugs and runners to prevent slipping (yoga mats work great!). You will be sent home with a fleece sling to help them stand/walk. A rolled towel under the belly can also act as a strap to help them rise to standing in the first few weeks.
Are there follow up appointments?
Yes. We will schedule your first follow-up appointment at discharge. On the morning of the follow-up, please do not feed your pet, although allowing them to drink water is permitted. We may need to sedate your pet to position them properly for x-rays to confirm a successful recovery. We may remove sutures or staples at this appointment, or we may need to set up an additional appointment.
Please keep in mind, some follow-up appointments do require additional payment.
Recent Reviews
Our client’s feedback is the reason that we do what we do
“I cannot say enough good things about Lenity. The staff is friendly, compassionate and knowledgable. The surgical team is absolutely amazing and Dr. Tong was quick to respond to my emails. After having major surgery, my dog is back and better than ever thanks to Lenity!”
— K.R.
“Had an emergency situation with my dog and every single vet clinic was closed or not accepting emergency drop offs. Lenity welcomed me with open arms, and while wait time for the primary vet was very long, the vet technicians took my dog in right away to check her out. The vet technician who helped me was incredibly reassuring and calming. When my dog saw her normal vet a few days later, she had mentioned that she would have done everything the technician had done! Really thankful for the awesome service of the vet technicians at Lenity!!!”
— K.E.
“We are so fortunate to have access to such a fantastic veterinary surgeon. Dr. Carlson spent all the time needed with me to answer my questions and concerns with direct answers. She performed a subtotal pericardectomy on our Akita and he is recovering quickly from this surgery. Good communication between her and our regular vet and she was able to accommodate our dog quickly after he had his second effusion just days before.”
— P.B.
About Kim Carlson, DVM, DACVS
Dr. Kimberly Carlson, owner of Lenity Vet Specialists + Emergency Care, is a highly experienced surgeon with board certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).
Dr. Carlson has been performing the TPLO for more than 20 years.
She is dedicated to upholding an exceptional standard of client service and patient care, achievable only through the personalized, hands-on approach of a privately owned practice with direct owner engagement, ensuring a uniquely attentive and sophisticated experience.
Find Out More About TPLO Now
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Our Location
257 N. Amphlett Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401