Objective: To describe the short- and intermediate-term outcomes of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in cats.
Study design: Electronic medical records of cats with cranial cruciate ligament tears treated with TPLO at nine hospitals between January 2015 and November 2024 were reviewed. Cats were included if they had a TPLO procedure and excluded if they had concurrent ipsilateral orthopedic procedures or underwent additional concurrent procedures other than simultaneous contralateral stifle surgery. Physical and radiographic examination metrics, including bone healing scores, were used to assess short-term outcomes (<6 months). Owner responses to Feline Musculoskeletal and Pain Index (FMPI) surveys were used to assess intermediate-term outcomes (<12 months).
Results: Thirty-two stifles were operated on in 28 cats. Complications occurred in 9/32 stifles, and they were categorized as eight minor and one major complications. The median (range) pre- and postoperative lameness grades were 3 (1-5) and 0 (0-2) out of 5, respectively. Cranial tibial thrust was neutralized in 28/32 stifles; the remaining four stifles did not have information about stifle stability. The median 10-point radiographic bone healing score after 8 weeks was 8. The median FMPI score decreased from 16 to 4 with a median reduction of 14 (maximum score: 36).
Conclusion: TPLO was associated with neutralization of cranial tibial thrust in cats and may be a viable treatment option.
