Arthritis Prevention

While TPLO surgery successfully restores stability to your dog's knee, it's important to understand that some degree of arthritis (osteoarthritis) may develop in the affected joint over time. However, with proactive management, you can significantly slow this progression and help your dog maintain comfort and mobility for years to come.

Understanding Post-Surgical Arthritis

Arthritis is essentially "wear and tear" of the joint cartilage. When a cruciate ligament ruptures, several factors contribute to future arthritis development:

• Initial cartilage damage: The instability from the torn ligament often causes immediate cartilage damage

• Inflammatory response: The injury triggers inflammation that can persist even after surgery

• Altered joint mechanics: Even with successful surgery, the joint may never move exactly as it did before

• Natural aging: The repair process and time itself contribute to cartilage changes

The good news is that early, aggressive intervention can make a dramatic difference in your dog's long-term joint health.

The Foundation: Weight Management and Diet

After cruciate surgery, maintaining an ideal body weight becomes absolutely critical to reduce joint stress.

Work with your veterinarian to:

• Establish your dog's ideal weight range

• Calculate precise daily caloric needs

• Choose an appropriate diet formulation

• Set up a monitoring schedule with regular weigh-ins

Practical tips for managing weight at home:

• Measure food portions precisely using a kitchen scale

• Account for treats in the daily caloric allowance

• Use low-calorie training treats or break treats into smaller pieces

• Consider prescription weight management diets if needed

• Replace some kibble with low-calorie vegetables like green beans or carrots

Nutraceuticals and Supplements: Building Blocks for Joint Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for joint health. Look for diets enriched with EPA and DHA from fish oil, or consider adding a high-quality fish oil supplement. These fatty acids help reduce inflammation and support cartilage health.

Glucosamine provides building blocks for cartilage repair and helps maintain the joint's shock-absorbing properties.

Chondroitin sulfate helps prevent cartilage breakdown and supports the joint's ability to retain water and maintain elasticity.

Choosing Quality Supplements

• Look for products with third-party testing and quality certifications

• Choose veterinary-specific brands when possible

• Ensure proper storage to maintain potency

• Give supplements consistently as directed

• Allow 6-8 weeks to see maximum benefits

Exercise: The Double-Edged Sword

Regular, appropriate exercise is crucial for joint health because it:

• Maintains muscle strength to support the joint

• Promotes cartilage health through gentle compression and decompression

• Maintains range of motion and flexibility

• Supports overall fitness and weight management

Low-impact activities (excellent choices)

1. Swimming: Provides cardiovascular fitness with minimal joint stress

2. Underwater treadmill: Combines walking with buoyancy support

3. Controlled leash walks: On even surfaces, gradually increasing duration

4. Gentle hiking: On soft trails without steep inclines

Activities to avoid or limit

1. High-impact jumping: Frisbee, ball catching, agility jumps

2. Sudden direction changes: Tennis ball chasing, rough play with other dogs

3. Extended running: Especially on hard surfaces

4. Repetitive activities: Excessive fetch or ball playing

Environmental Modifications for Joint Support

• Provide non-slip rugs on smooth surfaces

• Consider rubber mats in key areas

• Use carpet runners on stairs

• Install night lighting to prevent missteps

• Provide ramps for couch, bed, or car access

• Install baby gates to prevent jumping down stairs

• Consider raised food and water bowls

• Use steps or ramps instead of jumping into vehicles

• Consider investing in orthopaedic bedding with memory foam

• Provide warm, dry sleeping areas

• Consider heated beds for older dogs

• Ensure easy access to favourite resting spots

The Long-Term Outlook

With proactive management, many dogs maintain excellent quality of life for years after cruciate surgery. The key is starting prevention strategies early and maintaining them consistently.