The Cost of Cruciate Ligament Surgery for Dogs

The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments hold a dog's knee together and help it bend properly. Damage to the cruciate ligament causes the knee to move abnormally in a motion termed "drawer sign." If the lower part of the leg can move forward as in opening a drawer, the ligament is ruptured.

  1. Extracapsular Repair

    • This type of surgery does not require special equipment and is the preferred method due to a shorter time in surgery. The torn ligament is removed and replaced with a strong suture that helps to tighten the joint. Extracapsular repair is the cheapest option and costs between $700 and $1,100.

    Tibial Tuberosity Advancement

    • The TTA procedure requires specialized equipment. According to the Mar Vista Vet website, "when the cruciate ligament is torn, the top of the tibia and the patellar ligament are repositioned at 90 degrees to one another" and anchored in the new position. The cost of TTA is between $1,500 and $2,000.

    Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy

    • TPLO also requires special equipment and is a complex surgery that requires a vet to have special training. This surgery is the best way to repair the knee. The torn ligament may or may not be removed, and the tibia is cut and rotated to stabilize the knee. TPLO costs between $2,200 and $2,700.