Veterinarian examines dog with cone

Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery in Liberty Hill, TX.

When orthopedic injuries affect your pet’s mobility and comfort, Liberty Hill Veterinary Wellness offers advanced orthopedic surgery and personalized treatment plans designed to restore function and improve quality of life for dogs throughout Liberty Hill and the surrounding communities.

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Advanced Orthopedic Care for Dogs

Orthopedic conditions can make everyday activities painful and limit your dog’s quality of life. At Liberty Hill Veterinary Wellness, we provide advanced veterinary orthopedic surgery for injuries and conditions affecting bones, joints, ligaments, and soft tissues.

Whether your pet has suffered a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear, fracture, luxating patella, or another orthopedic condition, our experienced team develops a personalized treatment plan focused on relieving pain, restoring mobility, and helping your companion return to an active lifestyle.

Our orthopedic services include:

  • TPLO surgery
  • Fracture repair
  • Luxating patella surgery
  • Joint stabilization procedures
  • Soft tissue orthopedic procedures
  • Comprehensive rehabilitation planning

Understanding Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Disease

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease is one of the most common orthopedic conditions affecting dogs. Similar to an ACL injury in humans, a torn CCL causes instability within the knee, leading to inflammation, pain, reduced mobility, and progressive arthritis if left untreated.

Common symptoms include:

  • Limping
  • Difficulty standing
  • Reluctance to jump
  • Reduced activity
  • Swelling around the knee
  • Muscle loss over time
During your pet’s orthopedic evaluation, our team performs a thorough examination along with diagnostic imaging to determine the best treatment option.
Happy golden retriever dog outside.

Pre-Operative Knee Evaluation

These demonstrations show the instability that develops when the cranial cruciate ligament is torn and help illustrate how orthopedic testing guides surgical recommendations.

TPLO Surgery: An Advanced Solution for CCL Injuries

For many dogs diagnosed with CCL disease, Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is considered the gold-standard treatment.

Unlike procedures that replace the damaged ligament, TPLO changes the biomechanics of the knee, allowing the joint to remain stable during normal weight-bearing. This technique helps reduce pain, restore function, minimize future arthritis, and allow many dogs to return to activity sooner.

Before surgery, we perform:

  • Comprehensive orthopedic examination
  • Diagnostic radiographs
  • Pre-anesthetic bloodwork
  • Individualized surgical planning

Throughout surgery, patients receive advanced anesthesia monitoring, modern pain management, and attentive nursing care to maximize safety and comfort.

Pre-Operative-Radiograph
Post-Operative-Radiograph
Black and white dog sitting

Why Orthopedic Surgery Matters

Orthopedic injuries rarely improve without appropriate treatment. Left untreated, instability within the joint can continue to damage cartilage, increase inflammation, and accelerate arthritis, often leading to chronic pain and permanent loss of mobility.

Early diagnosis and timely orthopedic intervention can:

  • Reduce pain
  • Restore joint stability
  • Slow arthritis progression
  • Improve long-term mobility
  • Help pets return to normal activity

Our goal is always to recommend the treatment that offers the best long-term outcome for your pet.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Successful orthopedic outcomes depend on both surgery and rehabilitation.
Following surgery, every patient receives detailed recovery instructions and a rehabilitation plan tailored to their procedure and lifestyle.
Depending on your pet’s needs, recovery may include:

  • Underwater treadmill therapy
  • Class IV laser therapy
  • Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Progressive conditioning
  • Ongoing mobility assessments
This comprehensive approach helps pets rebuild strength, regain confidence, and safely return to normal activities.

Benefits of Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery offers significant advantages for pets suffering from injuries or degenerative joint disease.

Benefits may include:

  • Improved comfort and mobility
  • Earlier return to daily activities
  • Better long-term joint function
  • Reduced progression of arthritis
  • Enhanced overall quality of life
  • Personalized rehabilitation support
Two dogs on turf

Post-Operative Stability

These videos demonstrate the improved joint stability achieved following TPLO surgery and illustrate why this procedure is widely recognized as one of the most successful treatments for CCL disease.

Advanced Surgical Expertise

Orthopedic surgery at Liberty Hill Veterinary Wellness is led by Dr. Murphy, whose advanced surgical training brings referral-level expertise to our community.

Dr. Murphy completed:

  • A three-year surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania
  • A medicine and surgery internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City
  • Advanced training in orthopedic, oncologic, and soft tissue surgery
  • Certification as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP)
With more than 2,500 TPLO procedures performed, Dr. Murphy combines advanced orthopedic techniques with rehabilitation expertise to help pets achieve the best possible outcomes.
Meet Our Veterinary Team
Blue-nosed pitbull puppy looking forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TPLO the right surgery for every dog?

Not always. Every patient receives an orthopedic evaluation to determine the most appropriate treatment based on their age, size, activity level, and overall health.

How long is recovery after TPLO surgery?

Many dogs begin bearing weight within a few days of surgery, but full recovery typically requires several weeks of structured rehabilitation and activity progression.

Will my dog need rehabilitation after surgery?

Yes. Rehabilitation plays an important role in rebuilding strength, restoring mobility, and achieving the best long-term outcome.

Schedule an Orthopedic Consultation

If your pet is experiencing lameness, joint pain, or a suspected orthopedic injury, our team is here to help. Liberty Hill Veterinary Wellness proudly provides advanced orthopedic surgery, TPLO procedures, and rehabilitation services for pets throughout Liberty Hill, Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Burnet, Marble Falls, Hutto, and surrounding communities.
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