In cases with preexisting stifle osteoarthritis, does a TPLO or an MPL corrective procedure optimally address the disease and restores normal long-term function? The answer to that question is variable and depends on the severity of the osteoarthritic disease and/or the presence of concurrent pathologies. The recent increase in indiscriminate usage of newly released drugs for the medical management of osteoarthritis may be responsible for the emergence of rapidly progressing osteoarthritis in dogs that should have been addressed with primary repair techniques. In this lecture, we will discuss a decision-making algorithm for the surgical management of complicated stifle disease with total knee replacement. We will review recent advances in surgical planning and execution, and discuss the anticipated outcomes.
