TPLO

I work in insurance. This field is replete with acronyms. Every procedure and process is reduced to a TPA (three letter acronym). But today I learned a new one: TPLO. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

Gracie's local vet confirmed the diagnosis...she has a torn cruciate ligament in her left knee. This morning, we met the surgeon in Beaverton who specializes in the TPLO. In addition to the torn ligament, he also suspects cartilage damage to the meniscus. His plan is to arthroscopically repair the damage and then, via a small incision, insert the stabilizing plate. Surgery is set for Monday, April 27...three days short of Gracie's 4th birthday. She'll spend the night at the hospital and then home to 3 weeks of confinement with breaks for potty time only. The surgeon felt within 3 weeks she would be ready for leash walking only. Within 8 weeks she should be up to 20 minute walks 2 or 3 times a day.

It seems bad news always comes in threes. Today was no different. The surgeon informed me that Gracie will have about a 40% chance of needing the same surgery on her right knee in the next year. In addition, the Xrays show hip displaysia in her right hip. He suspects she has been compensating on the left side put her left knee at greater risk.

But, my goal is to look for the positive. Here's what I've come up with so far:

• I have the money to afford this level of care.


• I have an employer who is supportive of any time off I might need to take.


• I have two possible locations in the house for Gracie to convalesce in.


• Dr. Gustafson seems to be one of the top notch doctors in the Salem-Portland area for TPLOs.


• Gracie is still wagging her tail every day.