Discuss the different surgery options with your vet.

1. The extracapsular repair is the least invasive, and cheapest, but I would not recommend it as I have had a higher complication rate as far as long term function is concerned. It involves replacing the torn ligament with an artificial one outside of the joint capsule.

2. The tight-rope procedure is more invasive than the above but I have had good success with it and it is cheaper than a full TPLO or TTA. It involves drilling a bone tunnel in the femur (the bone above the knee) and the tibia ( the bone below the knee) and placing a braded suture to replace the ligament. This procedure places the artificial ligament much closer to its normal anatomical location. This procedure can be performed laproscopically as well.

3. The TPLO is a procedure where the surgeon cuts the top portion off of the tibia ( the large bone below the knee) in a semicircle cut and rotates the top fragment, changing the angle of the knee. A plate is then placed on the side of the tibia to keep the new fragment in place at the correct angle.
This procedure is very invasive, but has proven successful, especially in large breed dogs.

4. The TTA is also a procedure involving the tibia, in which the tibial tuberocity, a bony prominence and attatchment site for the patellar tendon, is cut and advanced forward. Again, like the TPLO it is more invasive, but proven successful.

With all of these, the surgeon will remove the torn ligament and likely any torn fragments of the meniscus in addition to the above. Recovery time will be long and will require cage rest and compliance on your part. Like a human knee full recovery will likely take several months.