MPL Surgery Restores Stability and Comfort
Expert Kneecap (MPL) Surgery for Dogs
Your dog can’t tell you if surgery is needed - but SurgiPet experts can!
Reviewed by Dr. Jaroslaw Wypart, Chief Surgeon · Sept. 2026

Understanding Dog MPL Surgery
Luxating patella is a medical term for a dislocated kneecap. Dislocated kneecap describes a condition when the dog's kneecap (same as your kneecap) pops out of place. This problem is more common in small and toy breed dogs, although can also occur in young, large-breed dogs.
MPL (Medial Patella Luxation) correction surgery is a procedure aimed at returning kneecap to its natural position.
Removes pain and skipping/hopping gait.
Prevents further joint damage.
Proven success for active and senior dogs alike.
Dog MPL Surgery Serving San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Riverside
Dog MPL Surgery Experts
When your dog needs MPL surgery, experience matters. Our surgical team routinely evaluates dogs with patella luxation. The first step is always to assess whether surgery is truly needed. You can trust us to recommend MPL surgery only when it’s the right decision for your dog.
The all-inclusive package fee for dog MPL surgery at SurgiPet covers everything from the initial consultation to post-surgical rechecks and x-rays and offers 30-40% savings compared to large veterinary hospitals' charges.

Your Dog’s MPL Surgery Journey
Initial Consultation
We don’t rush - each consultation includes a full history, a careful hands-on exam of your dog, and time to talk through your goals, concerns, and what matters most to you.
Surgery Day
Experience counts! Our surgeon has performed thousands of orthopedic surgeries over the course of his professional career. With that experience, your dog is in the best hands.
Going Home
Your pet will go home comfortable, fully recovered from anesthesia, and able to walk. You will receive printed instructions, and dedicated post-operative support is available 7 days a week-including weekends.
Providing peace of mind and comfort
What to Expect After MPL Surgery
Most dogs are able to walk with sling support the same day after surgery. Recovery typically takes 4-8 weeks, with steady improvement in strength, comfort, and mobility.
Our team provides detailed home care instructions and support 7 days a week to guide you through every step of healing.
Tips for Recovery:
✔ Follow all activity and exercise restrictions closely.
✔ Return for scheduled rechecks - they’re covered in the surgery fee.
✔ Contact us with any concerns - the surgeon is just a phone call away.
The Safest pet anesthesia. For Every Pet. In Every way.
Ensure your pet’s safety with expert anesthesia care tailored to their specific needs, managed by a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist.

Meet the Dedicated Team Behind Our Success

Dr. Wypart, our founder and chief surgeon, has over 20 years of experience and performs over 250 TPLO surgeries a year.
He handles each surgical consultation personally and walks pet owners through what he found, what the options are, and what he would do.
Dr. Wypart is a veterinary surgeon with more than two decades of experience in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. He earned his veterinary degree at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and completed postgraduate certification in small animal surgery at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, in 2004. He received ECFVG certification in 2006 and is licensed to practice in California. His clinical work spans Europe and North America.
Since relocating to San Diego in 2012, his caseload has centered on the stifle, elbow, and shoulder. That includes TPLO for cranial cruciate ligament disease, patellar luxation correction, arthroscopy of the stifle, elbow, and shoulder, and repair of complex fractures including pelvic and femoral trauma. He also performs oncologic and reconstructive soft tissue surgery and treats feline as well as canine patients.
He is a member of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society and the American Veterinary Medical Association. His continuing education stays current with the field, with advanced training in knee surgery, including TPLO and patellar luxation procedures, joint arthroscopy, orthopedic trauma, fracture repair, and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Wypart founded SurgiPet to give San Diego and North County a dedicated surgery and anesthesia center, with a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist on every case.
Outside of surgery, Dr. Wypart tends his vegetable garden, tries new soup recipes, and hikes to Potato Chip Rock.
2026
Principles of Deformity Correction: Pelvic Limb
AOVET
2026
Comprehensive Elbow and Shoulder Forum
Arthrex
2025
Stifle Evolutions
Arthrex
2025
Mastering Canine Pelvic and Femur Traumatology
Arthrex
2025
Principles of Oncological Surgery of the Skin and Reconstruction Techniques
Nexus Veterinary Continuing Education
2024
Elbow and Stifle Joint Arthroscopy
Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
2023
Advanced Fracture Repair
Viticus Group
2022
Patellar Groove Replacement (PGR)
Kyon
2022
Pelvic Fracture, Hip Dislocation and Sacroiliac Luxation Repair
Nexus Veterinary Continuing Education
2020
Feline Medicine and Surgery Update
International Veterinary Seminars
2019
Advanced Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
Intrauma
2017
Advanced Techniques in Small Animal Fracture Management
AOVET
2016
Comprehensive Surgical Management of Stifle Disease
Viticus Group

Dr. Margaret Wypart, our co-founder and medical director, is one of a few veterinary anesthesia specialists in California. She personally evaluates your pet’s health, designs a customized anesthesia plan, and ensures they wake up comfortably - just like an anesthesiologist does for people in a hospital.
Dr. Margaret Wypart, DACVAA, is the Medical Director and co-founder of SurgiPet. After veterinary school, she spent three additional years at the University of Pennsylvania's highly respected residency program, focusing exclusively on mastering anesthesia and pain management. This specialized training means she's an expert at keeping pets safe and pain-free during surgery—customizing anesthesia for each individual patient based on their age, health status, and the specific procedure they're having. Whether it's a healthy young dog or a senior pet with underlying health concerns, Dr. Margaret Wypart has the expertise to provide the safest anesthesia possible.
One of only a few board-certified veterinary anesthesiologists practicing in San Diego County, she specializes in ultrasound-guided nerve blocks to minimize discomfort and reduce reliance on systemic medications—allowing pets to wake up more smoothly and return home the same day. Her approach follows the principles of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), emphasizing proactive pain control, early mobility, and rapid return to function.
Outside of work, Dr. Wypart enjoys hiking, skiing, and photography.

Amber has over two decades of experience as a Registered Veterinary Technician. One of her greatest joys is mentoring and training newer staff, sharing the passion for veterinary care that has driven her throughout her career.
Amber is a Registered Veterinary Technician and our Nursing Director, bringing more than 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine to our team. Most of Amber’s career has been spent in emergency and intensive care, where she developed strong skills in critical patient management, anesthesia, and team leadership. For the past two years, she has brought that expertise to our surgical center, where she focuses on ensuring a smooth experience for patients from admission through recovery and supporting our team in providing exceptional surgical nursing care.
Amber is passionate about creating a positive, collaborative environment for both her team and our clients. She believes that every patient deserves individualized, compassionate care and takes pride in building trust with the families who bring their pets to us. She also enjoys mentoring veterinary professionals and helping others grow within the field.
Outside of work, Amber loves spending time with her family and many pets, traveling in their RV, and curling up with a good book.
Avoid the Guessing Game!
Let SurgiPet Doctors Tell You if Surgery is Necessary




Ready to Give Your Pet the Best Care?
Schedule a consultation today and see why thousands of pet owners choose us.
Book in Just Minutes
Simple and hassle-free scheduling for your convenience.

Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
Your regular vet’s clinic handles many types of visits and may have a mobile board-certified surgeon to operate on certain days. SurgiPet is different because we are a dedicated surgery center: our entire facility, team, and protocols are focused on anesthesia and surgery every day.
At SurgiPet, you meet directly with the surgeon to discuss your pet’s condition and what to expect. During surgery, two doctors care for your pet: the surgeon who focuses only on the procedure and an anesthesia specialist who focuses only on safe, comfortable anesthesia.
Our surgery-only model allows clear flat-fee packages and post-surgery support 7 days a week. We guide you through recovery, then your regular vet continues routine care like wellness visits and vaccines once healing is complete.
Yes! If our surgeon determines that surgery is needed, we can often perform it the same day. Your pet will come in for the consultation, have surgery, and go home the same day. Just let our staff know you’re interested in this option when booking your consultation.
Some tell-tale signs that your dog has trouble with a dislocated kneecap are: “skipping” or “hopping” gait: a little skip in steps (the pet will limp for a few steps and then quickly return to normal), stiffness of a back leg, stiff walking, and episodes of running on three legs, holding one back leg up.
A popping sound can sometimes be heard when the kneecap returns to its proper position. In severe cases the pet will refuse to walk on the affected leg at all times.
This health issue has a higher incidence rate among the following dogs: Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Chihuahua, Poodle, Pug, Shih Tzu, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Spaniel, Greyhound, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Manchester Terrier, Silky Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier.
In around half of these cases both kneecaps of the dogs are affected, while the other half usually only suffer with one.
Recovery following the MPL surgery is relatively short. It takes about 4 weeks for the bone to heal and an additional 4 weeks (for a total of 8 weeks) before the pet can resume regular, unrestricted activity.
Yes, MPL surgery has a very high success rate in improving comfort, restoring mobility, and preventing long-term joint damage.
Statistically, following MPL surgery, over 90-95% of the dogs regain regular or near-regular leg use.
If medial patellar luxation (MPL) is not fixed through surgery, especially in moderate to severe cases, complications can develop. Your dog may have worsening lameness, more frequent limping, and increased pain as the kneecap continues to dislocate.
This misalignment can lead to joint damage and irreversible arthritis, causing chronic pain. Muscle loss may occur as the leg weakens, further limiting mobility and affecting quality of life. Fixing MPL can prevent these issues and improve your dog’s comfort and activity levels.
At SurgiPet, MPL surgery is priced as a flat-fee package that includes nearly everything your dog needs for surgery and follow-up care, so you know your costs up front.
What’s included in the flat fee:
- All consultations with the surgeon
- Anesthesia managed by a doctor who specializes only in anesthesia and pain control — the same type of specialist who runs anesthesia in human hospitals
- Advanced nerve block technique to start pain control before surgery begins
- Operating room and surgeon’s fee
- All standard surgical supplies used during your dog’s procedure
- Pain medication, sedatives, antibiotics, and anti-nausea meds for the first 2 weeks
- Support sling to help your dog walk during early recovery
- All recheck exams and X-rays for 4 months (sedation included if needed)
- Pre-op bloodwork and chest X-rays (if needed)
Not included: medications beyond two weeks (sedatives), surgical complications, physical therapy, or rechecks beyond 4 months.
MPL surgery pricing at SurgiPet (2026): $4,490 (for dogs under 48 lb)
You’ll meet with both the surgeon and anesthesiologist in person to review the plan and ask any final questions. Your dog’s surgery is performed in a modern operating room under the highest standards of sterility.
An anesthesiologist monitors your pet throughout, using advanced equipment and multimodal pain control. After surgery, your pet recovers in a quiet area under direct supervision. Most dogs are ready to go home by the evening - fully awake, comfortable, and sent home with meds, a support sling, and clear, personalized care instructions.

