How Much Does Dog ACL (CCL) Surgery Cost?

Updated 2026-08-15 · Typical US ranges · Prices vary by region and clinic

Dog ACL/CCL surgery typically costs $1,500 to $4,000, though prices range from $750 to $8,000+ depending on technique. Non-TPLO repairs like lateral suture (extracapsular) stabilization are the cheapest at roughly $750–$2,000, while bone-reshaping procedures like TTA run $3,000–$6,000.

Typical low$1,500

Typical high$4,000

What’s included in the range?

Covers the full surgical procedure including anesthesia for non-TPLO techniques; lateral suture repairs cost about $750–$2,000, TPLO/TTA $3,000–$8,000, and totals can exceed $7,000 at specialist hospitals.

What affects the price

Surgical technique — suture-based repairs (lateral suture, TightRope) cost less than bone-reshaping (TPLO, TTA)
Dog size — suture techniques work best in small dogs; large breeds typically need costlier TPLO/TTA
Location and facility — specialist orthopedic hospitals in cities charge far more than rural general practices
Extras not in the surgery quote — anesthesia, X-rays, medications, follow-ups, and physical therapy
Whether both knees need surgery — about 50% of dogs tear the second CCL within 1–2 years

Questions to ask your vet

Which surgical technique are you recommending for my dog's size, and why over the alternatives?
Does the estimate include anesthesia, X-rays, medications, and follow-up visits, or are those separate?
What's the success rate for this technique and what does recovery look like week by week?
How much will physical therapy or rehabilitation add to the total cost?

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between ACL and CCL surgery for dogs?

Nothing — ACL is the human term; dogs tear their cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), the equivalent structure in the knee. Repair techniques include extracapsular lateral suture, TightRope, TPLO, and TTA.

Is surgery the only option for a torn ACL in dogs?

Small dogs under about 15–20 pounds with partial tears sometimes recover with strict rest and pain management, but for most dogs — especially large, active breeds — surgery offers the best long-term outcome and the 85–90% success rate.

Which is cheaper: lateral suture or TPLO?

Lateral suture (extracapsular) repair is the least invasive and cheapest — about $750–$2,000 — but it's most successful in small dogs; larger dogs usually need bone-reshaping procedures like TPLO, which cost roughly $3,000–$8,000.

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Sources

PetMD
The cost of dog ACL surgery varies, depending on location, type of surgery performed, and care facility. However, you may expect the cost to be anywhere from $1,500 to $7,000 or more.
GoodRx
Depending on the procedure, the cost of dog ACL/CCL surgery ranges from $750 up to $8,000. But the average cost ends up at $2,000 to $4,000.
CareCredit
The national average cost* of CCL Surgery (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) for a dog is $3,525 but ranges anywhere from $2,793 to $6,417 depending on your location.