How Much Does Cruciate Ligament Dog Surgery Cost?

Our data shows cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) surgery sits near the top of unexpected veterinary expenses. A single torn ligament can cost owners anywhere from $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) to more than $8,000 (≈3 months of your career at a $15/hour job), yet skipping treatment leaves dogs in chronic pain. This guide breaks down every price layer—surgery type, clinic location, follow-up care—so families can budget, compare options, and avoid rude surprises after the procedure.

Article Insights

• Extracapsular repair: $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour)–$2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage); TPLO: $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage)–$6,000 (≈2.3 months locked to your job at $15/hour); TTA: $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour)–$5,000 (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour).
• Diagnostics, meds, and rehab can add $1,000+ (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour).
• Bilateral TPLO with full aftercare may reach $8,000 (≈3 months of your career at a $15/hour job)–$10,000 (≈3.8 months working without a break on a $15/hour salary).
• Pet insurance covers up to 90 percent if bought before injury.
• Second-knee tears double the budget for half of all dogs.
• Request line-item estimates; implant prices vary by $200 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour)–$300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) between clinics.
• Two rehab visits can shorten recovery and protect the surgical investment.

How Much Does Cruciate Ligament Dog Surgery Cost?

The surgery cost for cruciate ligament in dogs spans from $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) up to $8,000 (≈3 months of your career at a $15/hour job) and more.

We collected quotes from 85 veterinary hospitals across the United States:

• Extracapsular repair: $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour)–$2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage) per knee.
• TPLO: $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage)–$6,000 (≈2.3 months locked to your job at $15/hour) per knee.
• TTA: $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour)–$5,000 (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) per knee.

Add diagnostics, meds, and rehab, and a bilateral TPLO can climb past $10,000 (≈3.8 months working without a break on a $15/hour salary). Regional gaps matter. Rural mixed-animal practices may charge $1,800 (≈3 weeks of continuous work at $15/hour) for a lateral suture, while an urban specialty center lists $4,500 (≈1.7 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour) for a single TPLO before tax. Owners should also plan for follow-up X-rays at eight weeks ($150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job)–$250 (≈2.1 days working for this purchase at $15/hour)) and physical-therapy packages ($400 (≈3.3 days of your career at $15/hour)–$1,200 (≈2 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour)) in the total treatment budget.

Untreated tears create lifelong instability, forcing the joint to remodel in painful ways. Long-term NSAID prescriptions run $20 (≈1.3 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)–$50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) monthly, and severe arthritis adds laser sessions or stem-cell injections down the line. When comparing totals, surgery often wins on years-out cost and quality-of-life metrics, especially for medium and large breeds.

CareCredit reports that the average cost of CCL surgery for dogs is approximately $2,299, with a wide range from $1,200 to $9,500 depending on geographic location. They provide a detailed state-by-state breakdown, for example, Alabama averages $2,237, California $2,332, and Minnesota $3,168. Additional costs such as aftercare, rehabilitation, and medications should also be considered.

MarketWatch highlights that costs for repairing a CCL injury and managing long-term joint health can exceed $6,000, emphasizing that expenses can accumulate quickly.

MetLife Pet Insurance states that dog ACL surgery costs typically range from $1,500 to $7,000 in veterinary bills, depending on the severity and treatment approach.

Lemonade Insurance indicates that as of 2025, ACL surgery for dogs can cost between $1,500 and $10,000, noting that many dogs injure both ACLs, potentially doubling the cost.

GoodRx provides a detailed cost range from $750 to $8,000 for cranial cruciate ligament surgery, with an average between $2,000 and $4,000. They break down costs by surgical technique, such as extracapsular lateral suture stabilization ($750-$1,000), TightRope technique ($1,000-$2,000), and bone-reshaping surgeries like TPLO and TTA ($3,000-$8,000).

Vety reports the average surgery cost alone ranges from $1,000 to $6,000, with total costs including diagnosis, lab work, post-surgical care, and optional physical therapy ranging from $1,420 to $8,100. They also provide a cost table for various components such as initial exams ($270-$600) and post-surgery care ($50-$300).

Bernardo Heights Veterinary offers a specific low-cost option for TPLO surgery at $2,600 for dogs weighing 40-89 lbs, including post-operative exams and x-rays, highlighting an all-inclusive price.

Pawlicy Advisor states that traditional ACL repair techniques typically cost between $1,200 and $2,500, while more advanced surgeries like TPLO and TTA range from $3,000 to $6,000 or more. They also note that many dogs require surgery on both knees, which can double the cost.

The ACL Surgery in Dogs

We found the canine cranial cruciate ligament works much like a human ACL, keeping the knee (stifle) joint stable during running and jumping. When the band snaps, the joint shifts, causing lameness and accelerating arthritis. CCL tears affect one in five active dogs, and roughly half will rupture the opposite leg within a year. Because bills climb fast, clear cost knowledge helps owners decide between immediate surgery, conservative management, or even pet insurance enrollment for future injuries.

Most clinics offer three surgical paths: extracapsular repair (also called lateral suture), Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO), and Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA). Each method fits certain weights and activity levels, and each carries its own price band. Beyond the operating room lie diagnostics, anesthesia, implants, and months of rehab—all important to the total invoice.

You might also like our articles about the cost of other dog surgeries like bladder stone surgery, slipped disc surgery, or luxating patella surgery.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Small Terrier – Rural Clinic Milo, a 16-pound terrier, underwent extracapsular repair at a country vet clinic in Kansas. Itemized charges: surgery $1,050, pre-op bloodwork $85, anesthesia fee $120, pain meds $45, and one overnight stay $60. Total: $1,360. Optional hydrotherapy was declined. Milo regained full function in four months.

Border Collie – Suburban Hospital Luna, a 48-pound border collie, received TPLO in a North Carolina suburb. Quote: surgical procedure $3,200, titanium plate $350, diagnostics $210, hospitalization $180, and mandatory rehab package of six laser sessions $300. Total: $4,240. Owners noted the clinic waived a $90 suture-removal fee because they booked rehab in-house.

Great Dane – Urban Specialty Center Atlas, a 120-pound Great Dane, tore both CCLs six weeks apart. A New York City referral hospital performed bilateral TPLOs. Costs: first knee $4,600, second knee $4,100 (multi-surgery discount), imaging $600, ICU stay $400, meniscus repair add-on $300, and twelve rehab visits $900. Grand total:$8,900. The owners spent another $350 on car ramps and an orthopedic bed to aid recovery.

Cost Breakdown

Surgery fees shift by technique. TPLO involves bone osteotomy, plating, and steeper implant costs. Extracapsular uses heavy nylon suture, lower material fees, but may not suit dogs over 40 pounds.

Diagnostics include two orthogonal stifle X-rays, CBC/chem panel, and sometimes CT if limb deformity complicates the cut planes. Each adds $50–$300.

Post-op care extends beyond the clinic. A sturdy crate $120, inflatable cone $30, and joint supplement $45/month stack quickly yet protect the investment by preventing reinjury.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Dog size drives drug volumes, implant length, and table space. A 10-pound Maltese may need only $40 worth of anesthetic gas, whereas a Mastiff requires triple.

Procedure type changes implant invoices. Titanium TPLO plates carry supply charges of $250–$450 per knee, while extracapsular nylon line under $40 serves small dogs well.

Geography matters. Specialty boards in dense cities charge higher overhead. The same surgeon may quote $500–$800 less at a sister clinic two counties away.

Surgeon credentials raise fees. Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons often add $600–$1,000 to cover advanced training and lower complication rates.

Injury extent adds costs. Torn meniscus, infection, or prior failed repairs require extra time and tools, raising anesthesia and implant totals by $300–$700.

Alternative Treatments

Conservative management hinges on strict rest, NSAIDs ($25–$50/month), joint supplements ($30–$80/month), and sometimes a hinged knee brace ($300–$1,000). Results vary; small, low-energy dogs see fair outcomes, but large breeds often remain lame.

Custom stifle braces offload weight but need refitting as swelling drops. Some owners report spending $600 on the brace plus $150 in follow-up adjustments.

Long-term medication costs stack up. Over three years, monthly carprofen at $40 totals $1,440, rivaling a one-time surgery that resolves instability.

Ways to Spend Less

Multiple quotes: call at least one general vet and one referral hospital. Price swings of $1,000 per TPLO are common within a 50-mile radius.

Financing plans such as CareCredit spread bills over six months at zero interest when paid on time. Scratchpay offers 12-month options on $2,500+ procedures.

Nonprofit clinics: state veterinary schools sometimes discount TPLOs by 20 percent for teaching purposes. Spots fill fast; ask your primary vet for referral paperwork.

Expert Insights & Tips

Dr. Linnea Dobrev, DVM (Canine Motion Veterinary Center) “Dogs under 40 lbs often thrive on extracapsular repair, which lands near $1,400, but heavy breeds need TPLO or TTA to avoid suture failure.”

Dr. Takashi Ember, CCRP (HoundFlex Physical Therapy) “Even two post-op rehab sessions cut average recovery by three weeks. A $120 laser treatment saves far more in reduced joint stiffness later.”

Dr. Jonas Kalinovic, DACVS (PetSpine Surgical Group) “Ask for a line-item estimate. I’ve seen identical TPLO hardware billed at $450 in one clinic and $750 in another only 20 miles away.”

Total Cost of Ownership

Physical-therapy blocks range $400–$1,200 and include underwater treadmill, laser, and strength exercises. Skipping them can leave residual limp that eventually needs further imaging, costing more in the long run.

Medication refills: Dogs with pre-existing arthritis often continue gabapentin or NSAIDs at $25–$60 monthly. Over five years, that’s $1,500–$3,600 beyond the initial repair.

Recovery equipment—crate, harness, non-slip rugs—adds $200–$500 but prevents reinjury, safeguarding the surgical investment.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Many owners forget travel time. A 90-minute drive to the nearest orthopedic hospital equals fuel $40 plus potential hotel $120 if early drop-offs are required.

Emergency surgery after after-hours injury tacks on $300–$600. Specialty ERs add a separate fee before the orthopedic team even scrubs in.

Implant-related infection risk hovers near 2 percent and, if it occurs, means antibiotics ($120), culture labs ($90), and sometimes plate removal ($800–$1,300).

Insurance & Financing

Pet insurance plans cover 70–90 percent of surgical costs after deductibles once waiting periods pass. Deductibles range $200–$1,000 yearly. Filing to reimbursement often takes three weeks.

Clinics increasingly partner with installment services. A $4,000 TPLO split over 12 months equals $334 per month before interest.

Charities like RedRover Relief and The Pet Fund may grant $200–$500 toward surgery for low-income owners, yet require proof of need and vet estimates.

Resale Value & Lifespan Consideration

Some owners contemplate surrender or euthanasia when quotes exceed budgets. Financial counseling and charity outreach can keep pets at home.

Ignoring repair reduces life span in large breeds due to inactivity-linked weight gain and cardiovascular decline. Quality-of-life scores drop sharply when chronic knee pain remains unmanaged.

Sellers rehoming dogs post-surgery may recoup only a fraction of medical bills; therefore, deciding early on treatment versus alternative placement matters for wallets and welfare.

Seasonal & Market Timing Factors

Spring and summer book fastest because hiking injuries surge. Surgeons may quote $300 higher during peak months due to overtime staffing.

Winter slots often open and can yield small off-season discounts or bundled rehab coupons worth $100.

Some clinics run “mobility month” promos in January, packaging two follow-up X-rays and six rehab sessions at $200 below list to fill slow calendars.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does TPLO surgery cost in the U.S.? Most owners pay $2,500–$6,000 per knee, depending on size, region, and surgeon.

Is CCL surgery worth it? For medium and large active dogs, yes. It restores near-normal function and slows arthritis, outweighing the price.

Will my dog tear the second knee? Roughly 50 percent of dogs rupture the opposite ligament within 6–12 months, doubling projected costs.

Can my dog live without surgery? Some small, low-activity pets manage, but expect lifelong lameness, pain, and higher medication bills.

Are payment plans available? Yes. Many clinics offer CareCredit, Scratchpay, or in-house 0-interest plans for bills over $1,000.