Surgical Options:
Traditional Surgery - There are two different surgeries that fall into the category of traditional repair.  Both of these types of surgeries have several different techniques that are used depending on the veterinarian or veterinay surgeon who performs the surgery. 
    Extracapsular Repair - This surgery consists of removing the torn ligament, trimming the meniscus (cartiledge) if it is torn, and using a suture material or wire, winding it behind the knee and passing it through a hole drilled in the tibia. Depending on who explains it to you, it may be called an artificial ligament or temporary ligament.
    Intracapsular Repair - This surgery consists of removing the torn ligament, trimming the meniscus if torn, and grafting tissue from the dog's leg in through the knee joint in the same position as the original ligament.

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) – This surgery consists of removing the torn ligament (depending on the degree of damage), and trimming or removing the meniscus (if needed).  This surgery changes the dynamics of the knee by cutting the tibia and repositioning it using 1 or 2 metal plates and screws.  Once the bone heals completely, the degree of slope in the dog's knee is reduced, eliminating the need for the ligament..

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) -  This surgery is the newest surgery for dogs' knees.  Considered less invasive than TPLO, this procedure was developed in 2001 at the University of Zurich by Dr. Slobodan Tepic.  It has been performed in the US since 2003.  While early results are promising, long term results are unknown at this time.

Non-Surgical or Conservative Management Option
Some people choose to have surgery performed on their dog only as a last resort. Some are able to manage their dog's condition until the supporting tissue develops sufficiently to support the knee. 

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