Dog Orthopedic Surgery Tijuana — TPLO, FHO and Fracture Repair

Orthopedic Surgery — The Treatment Your Dog Needs at a Price You Can Manage

When your dog tears a cruciate ligament, fractures a bone, or develops a luxating patella, the path forward is clear: surgery. What is less clear is how to pay for it. In San Diego, a TPLO surgery costs $4,000-$7,000. A fracture repair can run $3,000-$5,000. These prices put essential orthopedic surgery out of reach for many pet owners.

CBX Pet Care coordinates the same orthopedic procedures with experienced veterinary surgeons in Tijuana at $800-$1,500 — saving you 65-80%. The surgical hardware is the same. The techniques are the same. The post-operative protocols are the same. The only thing that changes is the bill.

TPLO Surgery (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy)

TPLO is the gold standard surgical treatment for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in dogs — the canine equivalent of an ACL tear. It is the most common orthopedic surgery we coordinate.

How TPLO Works

Unlike human ACL repair, which replaces the torn ligament, TPLO changes the geometry of the knee joint to eliminate the need for the cruciate ligament altogether. The surgeon makes a curved cut in the top of the tibia (the tibial plateau), rotates the bone fragment to change its angle, and secures it with a specialized bone plate and screws.

This rotation changes the biomechanics of the knee so that the tibial thrust — the forward sliding motion that the cruciate ligament normally prevents — is eliminated. The result is a stable, functional knee joint that does not rely on the torn ligament.

TPLO Cost Comparison

TPLO Component	San Diego	CBX Pet Care
Surgical consultation + X-rays	$500–$800	$150–$250
TPLO surgery (one knee)	$4,000–$7,000	$800–$1,500
Post-op X-rays (8 weeks)	$200–$400	$80–$150
Total (one knee)	$4,700–$8,200	$1,030–$1,900

Note: Approximately 40-60% of dogs that rupture one cruciate ligament will eventually rupture the other. If bilateral TPLO is needed, the savings through CBX Pet Care are even more significant — potentially $6,000-$12,000 saved compared to San Diego pricing.

FHO Surgery (Femoral Head Ostectomy)

FHO is a procedure that removes the head (ball) of the femur bone, eliminating the painful bone-on-bone contact in a damaged hip joint. The body forms a “false joint” from scar tissue that, while not as mechanically perfect as a hip replacement, provides functional and pain-free movement for most dogs.

FHO is most commonly recommended for small to medium-sized dogs (under 50 pounds) with hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, or hip fractures. It is also used as a salvage procedure when total hip replacement is not feasible. Through CBX Pet Care, FHO surgery falls in the $800-$1,500 range compared to $2,500-$5,000 in San Diego.

Fracture Repair

Dogs break bones — from car accidents, falls, rough play, or pathologic fractures through weakened bone. Fracture repair requires surgical stabilization with plates, screws, pins, or external fixators depending on the fracture type and location.

Common fractures we coordinate repair for include:

• Long bone fractures: Femur, tibia, humerus, radius/ulna — stabilized with bone plates and screws
• Pelvic fractures: May require plating of the ilium, ischium, or pubis depending on the fracture pattern
• Jaw fractures: Stabilized with wire, plates, or acrylic depending on the fracture location
• Spinal fractures: Require specialized stabilization and may need MRI imaging first

Fracture repair through CBX Pet Care costs $800-$1,500 for most cases, compared to $3,000-$6,000 in San Diego.

Luxating Patella Surgery

Patellar luxation — where the kneecap slides out of its normal groove — is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in small breed dogs. Grades III and IV typically require surgical correction, which involves deepening the trochlear groove, realigning the tibial crest, and tightening the joint capsule.

Luxating patella surgery in San Diego costs $2,000-$4,000 per knee. Through CBX Pet Care, the cost is $500-$1,200 depending on the grade and whether additional procedures are needed.

Recovery Timeline After Orthopedic Surgery

Weeks 1-2: Strict Rest

Your dog must be confined to a small area (crate or pen) with minimal movement. Short leash walks for bathroom breaks only. Ice packing the surgical site for 10-15 minutes, 2-3 times daily. Pain medication and anti-inflammatories as prescribed.

Weeks 3-4: Controlled Activity

Short leash walks (5-10 minutes, 2-3 times daily) begin. No running, jumping, stairs, or playing with other dogs. Gradual increase in walk duration as tolerated. Sutures or staples are removed by your local San Diego veterinarian at 10-14 days.

Weeks 5-8: Progressive Loading

Leash walks increase to 15-20 minutes. Gentle range-of-motion exercises may be introduced. Some surgeons recommend hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) starting at week 6. Your dog should be using the leg consistently by this point.

Weeks 9-12: Rehabilitation

Walk duration increases to 20-30 minutes. Inclines and varied terrain are introduced gradually. Off-leash activity in controlled environments may begin with surgeon approval.

Weeks 13-16: Return to Normal

Full activity is typically permitted at 12-16 weeks post-surgery, pending radiographic confirmation of bone healing. Post-operative X-rays ($80-$150 through CBX) confirm the bone plate is stable and the osteotomy has healed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Orthopedic Surgery

How do I know if my dog needs TPLO vs. other CCL repair methods?

TPLO is recommended for most dogs over 15-20 pounds with cruciate ligament tears. It has the highest success rates and fastest return to function. Smaller dogs may be candidates for lateral suture technique, which is less invasive and less expensive. The surgeon will recommend the best option based on your dog’s size, activity level, and knee anatomy.

Can both knees be done at the same time?

Most orthopedic surgeons prefer to operate on one knee at a time, spacing surgeries 8-12 weeks apart. This allows your dog to use the non-surgical leg for support during recovery. Bilateral TPLO through CBX can save you $6,000-$12,000 compared to two surgeries in San Diego.

Will my dog need physical therapy after surgery?

Physical rehabilitation significantly improves outcomes after orthopedic surgery. While not mandatory, we recommend finding a canine rehabilitation therapist in San Diego for hydrotherapy and therapeutic exercises. Your San Diego veterinarian can provide referrals.

What surgical hardware is used?

Our partner surgeons use the same quality surgical implants — titanium or stainless steel bone plates, locking screws, and orthopedic pins — that are used in San Diego surgical practices. The hardware is manufactured to international orthopedic standards.

How soon can my dog walk after TPLO?

Most dogs begin toe-touching or partial weight-bearing on the surgical leg within 24-48 hours after TPLO. Consistent weight-bearing typically develops by 2-3 weeks. Full function is usually achieved by 12-16 weeks, though some dogs return to normal activity sooner.

Last updated: March 2026