My Sammie had a torn CCL along with patellar luxuation a few years back. Her surgery was trochleoplasty and tibial crest transposition and fibular head transposition rather than TPLO. The recovery is similar to TPLO but the procedure itself is not quite as invasive. You may want to ask a vet about it. Today she sprints around the yard like a speed demon and she is 9+ years old. She was 5 when she had the surgery.
I wrestled with it because during the first attempt at surgery she almost died on the table (possible morphine allergy or botched epidural is what my vet suspects but the surgery people wouldn't give me a clear answer). I couldn't stand to see her never run again though, so after another consult with my vet I took her to a different surgeon (who used different anesthesia) and everything was great. I was in tears when I took her to the second surgery. The surgeon and anesthesiologist were very patient and kind and spent extra time explaining everything to me.
Looking back I should have just taken her to the place my vet recommended in the first place. I chose a reputable veterinary college instead though to save some time and money. I thought their reputation was excellent and maybe my case is an anomaly but I'll never go there again. I didn't like how they handled the botched surgery. They were horrible.
I'm glad your dogs surgery turned out well finally.
We took Lily to see a specialist who does 3 or 4 TLPO's a day. I was hesitant when he said he wasn't sure it was even her knee. It might be pinched nerves in her back. So we waited.
Her knee kept getting worse, so I talked to our regular vet. She said they have done over 100 TPLO surgery's at their clinic. I took a leap of faith and decided to have them do Lily, at $1000-$1200 less than the specialist. They do not use Acepromazine, so no worries there.
It has turned out well for Lily. I think there are refined techniques and with an experienced vet the results are getting better and better with the TPLO's.
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