Cruciate Repair

Cruciate Repair - Edmonton & Area

edmonton cruciate disease surgery tplo - pulse veterinary

We perform cruciate ligament repair – Edmonton & area
‘TPLO’ – Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy 

Pulse Veterinary Specialists & Emergency is a brand new, state of the art animal hospital conveniently located just off the Anthony Henday servicing Edmonton, Sherwood Park and the surrounding area. We are proud to be the only veterinarian owned referral hospital in Alberta and our committed to servicing the community in which we all work and live. We are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days of a year. We are also available for specialty appointments by referral only.

Cruciate disease in dogs represents one of the most common reasons a dog is referred to see a veterinary surgeon. About 1 in 20 dogs will end up with cruciate ligament rupture in their lifetime. Dogs can rupture their ligaments either through a traumatic event or gradual weakening of the ligament. The most common clinical sign is a sudden onset lameness on one of the back legs, although cruciate disease can also present bilaterally (in both back legs). About 55-60% of dogs that tear a cruciate ligament in one knee will go on to tear the other side within 3 years. All dog breeds and cats can be prone to cruciate ligament injury although Rottweilers have a higher prevalence and Greyhounds are rarely affected.


Pulse Veterinary Specialists and Emergency
Cruciate Ligament Repair & Surgery
Dogs & Cats
Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO)
780-570-9999 *just off the Henday
24 hr. Emergency Vet – Edmonton & Area 
*click for directions: 450 Ordze Rd, Sherwood Park
Cruciate surgery repairs a torn cranial cruciate ligament ‘CCL’ in the stifle ‘knee’, similar to the human ‘ACL’.


Dr. Charles Bruce is a board-certified surgeon that specializes in advanced surgical procedures including one of the most common techniques in cruciate repair, Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO). Dr. Bruce uses arthroscopy as a minimally invasive technique to investigate joints before performing the osteotomy. Arthroscopy of the stifle has been proven to identify more instances meniscal damage and therefore be able to treat it than simple arthrotomies (where the joint is opened) where it can be missed. At Pulse Veterinary Specialists & Emergency we also use specially coated TPLO plates that are designed to reduce chances of infection.

cruciate ligament repair edmonton - knee rupture xray
The red arrow shows effusion in the knee from a ruptured cruciate. The yellow arrow shows the starting of osteoarthritis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does arthroscopy increase the cost of the TPLO?

No – arthroscopy is included in the price of the procedure. We are very competitively priced with the intent to make this gold standard treatment available to as many dogs as possible.

Are there other ways to repair the cruciate ligament?

Absolutely. There are numerous methods used to stabilize the knee after cruciate damage, TPLOs are preferred by most board-certified surgeons in North America, especially for large breed dogs.

Do all dog’s need surgical repair of the knee?

Cruciate ligament rupture is considered a surgical condition in that it requires surgery to regain stability of the knee and to greatly minimize arthritic development over time. For the non-surgical patient activity expectations are lower and arthritis treatment and management are required over time.

How can I prevent my dog from getting cruciate ligament disease?

While there is no guaranteed prevention, keeping your dog a lean body weight puts them in a lower risk category. Maintaining lean body weight is helpful for optimizing function and minimizing arthritis as well.

tplo repair edmonton - post operative xray
Post-operative TPLO repair showing osteotomy.

At Pulse, we are proud to offer the very best to your furry family member. If you would like to further investigate surgical options for your dog’s cruciate injury have your family veterinarian reach out to our team!


Pulse Veterinary Specialists and Emergency
Cruciate Ligament Repair & Surgery
Cat & Dog Reconstructive Knee Surgery – Edmonton & area
Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO)
780-570-9999 *just off the Henday
24 hr. Emergency Vet – Edmonton & Area 
*click for directions: 450 Ordze Rd, Sherwood Park
Cruciate surgery repairs a torn cranial cruciate ligament ‘CCL’ in the stifle ‘knee’, similar to the human ‘ACL’.