orthopedic

ACL / CCL surgery (TPLO) cost

Answer

A TPLO surgery to repair a ruptured CCL typically runs $3,500 to $6,500 per knee at a general practice in 2024. Specialist centers in high-cost metros can exceed $8,000. Most pet insurance plans cover this after the waiting period if the injury is not pre-existing.

Regional cost variance

US regionLowMedianHigh
Northeast$4,200$5,400$7,500
South$2,800$4,100$6,200
Midwest$2,900$4,100$5,800
West$3,500$5,200$8,100

Industry-aggregated ranges CareCreditAKCOFA

What affects the cost

  • 01Dog weight. Anesthesia, implants, and recovery scale with body mass.
  • 02Surgical technique. TPLO and TTA cost more than lateral suture stabilization.
  • 03Board-certified surgeon vs general practice DVM.
  • 04Post-op physical therapy. Hydrotherapy adds roughly $600 to $1,200.

Frequently asked

Yes, accident and illness plans typically cover CCL surgery after the waiting period, provided no symptoms appeared before coverage started. Many insurers apply a bilateral exclusion: if one knee is treated before coverage, the other knee may be excluded as related.