Orthopedic Surgery

Overview

Orthopedic surgery treats bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles—areas in which your pet may feel pain from a variety of conditions. If veterinary orthopedic surgery is recommended for your pet, we will do everything possible to keep them safe and comfortable before, during, and after the surgery and refer to other veterinarians if needed.

Why would my pet need orthopedic surgery?

Orthopedic surgery can help animals who suffer from joint problems, torn ligaments, broken bones, and can even help correct congenital problems. A very common injury in dogs & cats is damage to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), sometimes referred to as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

When should I seek orthopedic care for my pet?

Pay attention to the way your pet is moving around, any unusual changes may mean they have an orthopedic condition.

Typical symptoms of an orthopedic disorder include difficulty getting up, favoring a leg intermittently when walking, limping - swelling in the leg, stiffness or decreased activity level. If you notice any of these problems, you should take your pet to our facility for an examination.

How are typical orthopedic injuries treated?

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is used to repair a torn cranial cruciate ligament by changing the dynamic of the animal’s knee. The ligament becomes irrelevant to the stability of the knee by counteracting the force that caused the ligament to tear. The reconstructive surgery cuts the tibia bone, rotates it, and becomes held in place with metal plates. This is an extremely effective long-term solution for the injury.

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)

Tibial tuberosity advancement is a reconstructive surgery used to repair a torn cranial cruciate ligament by changing the dynamic of the ligament so that it is no longer necessary for the stabilization of the knee. The surgery uses titanium implants and has a quick recovery time.

Luxating Patella Surgery

Patellar luxation is a dislocated knee cap and most commonly seen in small breed dogs. Most patellar luxation occurs when the patella displaces from its normal position to the inside or outside of the knee. Pets with this condition may have an intermittent non-weight bearing lameness and you may even hear a popping noise in their knee. There are many ways to treat this from a simple knee brace for a Grade 1 luxation, to realignment surgery for higher-grade luxations. Bring your pet in so we can determine the best way to treat the luxation.

Fracture Repairs

A fracture is a break in the bone or cartilage and can be repaired from simple external splinting to more advanced internal plating. Fractures are typically caused by trauma, a disease or tumor in the bone, or stress applied to a certain bone.

Our veterinarians adhere to the highest level of care standards for all surgical procedures. Our highly skilled doctors place the utmost emphasis on pain management to ensure your pet is safe and comfortable throughout the treatment process. Using advanced technology, your pet's vital signs are monitored by our veterinary technicians, who will remain with your pet through recovery.

Surgical Referral

If a needed surgery is outside of our veterinarians' level of expertise, we will discuss referral options to determine the best option for your pet's care.