Course details

Two day workshop

for

Vets

Cranial cruciate ligament disease is one of the most common and impactful orthopaedic conditions encountered in small-animal practice. While TPLO has become a gold-standard surgical treatment, success depends on far more than the mechanics of the osteotomy alone.
This hands-on two-day TPLO workshop is designed to bridge the gap between theory and confident clinical execution. Through a combination of case-based discussion, step-by-step surgical instruction, and practical tips drawn from high-volume referral experience, participants will develop a structured, repeatable approach to diagnosing, planning, performing, and managing TPLO surgery in real-world practice.
The course places strong emphasis on decision-making, surgical planning, technical precision, and complication avoidance, with the goal of empowering veterinarians to approach cruciate disease – and TPLO surgery -with greater clarity, confidence, and consistency.

 

Participants must have prior orthopaedic experience and a sound understanding of common orthopaedic principles.

Team Education: Vets attending the TPLO course must
nominate a nurse in their clinic to attend this
workshop

(This workshop will run from April 21 – 22, 2026.)

Key learning areas:

  • Confidently diagnose and stage cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs, including differentiation from other causes of pelvic limb lameness and appropriate case selection for surgical intervention.
  • Develop a structured approach to clinical decision-making, including when to recommend surgery, when to refer, and how to tailor treatment plans based on patient, owner, and practice factors.
  • Build confidence in discussing TPLO surgery with clients, including explaining risks, benefits, expectations, and post-operative care in a clear and reassuring way.
  • Accurately assess stifle radiographs and perform TPLO planning, including tibial plateau angle measurement, osteotomy positioning, and implant selection, with an emphasis on avoiding common planning errors.
  • Understand and execute the key steps of the TPLO procedure, including surgical approach, osteotomy creation, rotation, alignment, and closure, with a focus on efficiency, reproducibility, and tissue handling.
  • Apply sound principles of locking plate fixation for osteotomy stabilisation, including plate selection, screw placement strategy, and biomechanics relevant to TPLO constructs.
  • Recognise, prevent, and manage common TPLO complications, including intra-operative errors, post-operative issues, and longer term outcomes - and develop practical strategies for troubleshooting when things don’t go to plan

Location

Unit 8/37 Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park VIC 3042

Start Date

Tuesday
April 21st, 2026

Suitable For

Vets

Duration

8:30am - 5:00pm

Cost

$2,200

CPD Points

19

  • Facilitator

    Facilitator

    Dr James Simcock

    BVSc (Hons), Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, MANZCVS (Internal Medicine), Registered Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

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