TPLO Surgery Recovery Timeline: Week by Week Support for Your Dog's Healing Journey
Jul 7
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If your dog is facing a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear, TPLO surgery (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) is often considered the gold standard for long-term mobility and pain relief. At Creekside Veterinary Clinic, we're proud to partner with Dr. Javier, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who travels to our facility to offer this advanced procedure.
You can read more about Creekside's Approach to CCL tears here:
You can read more about Dr. Javier here:
But the road to full recovery doesn’t end after surgery—it begins. Below is your complete week-by-week TPLO recovery guide, filled with practical tips, restrictions, and progress milestones to help your dog return to a full and active life.
Week 1: Immediate Post-Surgery Care
The first week is critical. Focus on pain management, wound care, and confinement.
✅ Allowed:
Rest in a crate, kennel, or small room
Short, slow leash walks for bathroom breaks only
Use a sling to support them while walking
E-collar (cone) to prevent licking the incision
Reduce food intake by 30% to prevent weight gain
❌ Not Allowed:
Running, jumping, stairs, or off-leash movement
Licking or chewing at the incision
Unsupervised movement around the house
🔍 Monitor the surgical site daily for swelling, redness, or discharge. Keep it clean and dry.
🐾 Tip: Think of this as the "bed rest" phase for dogs—keeping them calm is essential.
Week 2: Initial Healing Phase
This week marks the shift from post-op care into the early healing process.
✅ Allowed:
One slow leash walk per day, starting at 5 minutes, building to 10 minutes over the week(Reduce if your dog appears sore)
Gentle range-of-motion exercises, if recommended
Continued crate or room confinement
❌ Not Allowed:
Stairs or climbing
Rough play or interaction with other pets
Jumping on/off furniture
Running or ball chasing
🗓️ This is the time for your suture recheck appointment. Healing progress will be assessed.
🐕 Tip: Walking slowly encourages your dog to use the operated leg with confidence.
Weeks 3–4: Gradual Increase in Activity
Your dog is healing well, but still needs supervised, restricted activity.
✅ Allowed:
Leash walks of 10–15 minutes, 3x per day(Start slowly and build up from once daily. If soreness appears, reduce to 5 minutes, 2–3x/day, then build back up.)
Controlled indoor movement
Continue at-home physical therapy/rehab
❌ Not Allowed:
Off-leash activity
Jumping or stairs
Play with other dogs
Sudden movement or running
🛑 Note: Pushing too hard, too fast can set recovery back. Adjust activity if soreness returns.
Weeks 5–6: Physical Therapy and Strengthening
This is the muscle-building phase, where therapy becomes even more important.
✅ Allowed:
Longer leash walks:
Week 5: 12 minutes, 3–4x/day
Week 6: 15 minutes, 3–5x/day
At-home physical therapy
Strength-building and mobility exercises
Hydrotherapy, if recommended, in a clean, controlled setting
❌ Not Allowed:
Off-leash activity
Jumping, running, or unsupervised movement
Rough play with other pets
💡 Hydrotherapy takes pressure off the joint while helping rebuild strength and range of motion.
Weeks 7–8: Increased Mobility and Activity
Your dog may seem full of energy—but supervision is still critical.
✅ Allowed:
Leash walks of 18–30 minutes, 3–5x/day
Controlled, supervised reintroduction of stairs
Advanced physical therapy exercises
❌ Not Allowed:
Off-leash activity (unless vet-approved and fully controlled)
High-impact play or quick movements
Jumping on/off furniture unsupervised
🔍 Watch closely for pain, limping, or hesitation—these are signs of doing too much.
🎯 End of Week 8: Your dog should be ready for radiographs to assess bone healing.
Weeks 9–10: Preparation for Full Activity
With confirmation of bone healing, activity can increase gradually.
✅ Allowed:
Radiographic recheck appointment
Off-leash activity in a safe, fenced area:
Week 9: 5 minutes, 3–5x/day
Week 10: 5–10 minutes
Supervised moderate play and continued strengthening
❌ Not Allowed:
Vigorous or unsupervised play
New activities without veterinary clearance
🏃♂️ Controlled return to activity prevents reinjury and ensures continued progress.
Weeks 11–12: Return to Normal Activity
Your dog is nearly back to full freedom.
✅ Allowed:
Off-leash play:
Week 11: 10–15 minutes
Week 12: 10–20 minutes
Regular walks and backyard time (increase gradually)
Ongoing rehab, if needed
❌ Not Allowed:
Ignoring signs of soreness or stiffness
Overexertion during play
⚠️ Avoid fetch, chase games, or sudden turns until cleared by your vet.
Weeks 13–14: Steady Return to Freedom
✅ Allowed:
Off-leash activity up to 30 minutes, 3–5x/day
Controlled jumping on/off low furniture (2–3x/day)
Gradual return to full home access (stairs, couches, etc.)
🎉 Your dog is close to pre-surgery activity—but keep monitoring for signs of fatigue or strain.
Week 15 and Beyond: Full Recovery
✅ Allowed:
Return to full activity: running, hiking, jumping, playing
Continued conditioning to rebuild muscle and prevent reinjury
💪 Although the bone is healed, full muscle recovery takes time—up to 6 months to restore full strength and coordination in the operated leg.
⚠️ What to Watch For During Recovery
While most dogs recover smoothly, contact us immediately if you notice:
Swelling, heat, or discharge at the incision site
Sudden limping or stiffness
Lethargy or decreased appetite
Behavioral changes or signs of pain
🐾 Final Thoughts
TPLO recovery takes time, patience, and teamwork—but it’s a journey worth taking. By following your recovery plan and maintaining regular communication with Creekside Veterinary Clinic, you’ll give your dog the best chance at a strong, pain-free future.
Twelve weeks may feel long, but the reward is seeing your dog run, play, and thrive again.
📞 If your dog is showing signs of a CCL injury or is scheduled for TPLO surgery, contact us today. We're here to guide you and your pup from surgery to sprint.
