What is orthopedic surgery?
Orthopedic surgery for pets involves surgical procedures that address the joints, skeletal system, and soft tissues associated with them, such as muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Our advanced imaging and diagnostic tools help us provide accurate and effective orthopedic diagnoses.
Common Orthopedic Conditions
There is a wide range of orthopedic conditions that affect cats and dogs. The following are among the most common:
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is the medical term for a hip socket that does not completely cover the ball portion of the upper thighbone, allowing the hip joint to dislocate partially or completely. German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and other large breed dogs are the most prone to this condition.
Total hip replacement is the most effective surgical treatment for hip dysplasia. The surgeon replaces the entire joint with metal and plastic implants, returning hip function to a more normal range.
Cruciate Ligament Tears
To prevent arthritis, torn cruciate ligaments in dogs must be surgically repaired. Numerous surgical procedures can be used to repair this injury, and the type used is usually determined by the size of the dog.
CCL surgery for dogs may include several different techniques that aim to provide stability to the joint.
Luxating Patellas
The patella (knee cap) is located in a cartilaginous groove at the stifle end of the femur. When the knee cap moves out of its natural position, this is referred to as a luxating patella. Knee cap issues are common in a wide range of dog breeds, both large and small.
Surgery is recommended for animals that have significant lameness as a result of luxating patellas, to keep the patella in its appropriate location at all times.
Disc Disease
Dogs, like humans, can suffer from disc problems in their necks and backs. Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Dachshunds, and Lhasa Apsos are among the breeds most prone to neck disc problems. Large breed dogs are more likely to suffer from chronic lower back pain.
Dogs with advanced disc disease should have surgery as soon as possible. The sooner that surgery is done, the better the prognosis.
Orthopedic Surgery FAQs
- What happens during the surgical consultation?
During the surgical consultation, we will perform a physical exam and review your pet’s medical history. Bloodwork and any other diagnostic tests that are needed to determine the nature of your pet's condition will also be undertaken at this time.
Diagnostics may include x-rays or an ultrasound. Once the results are back, a plan for surgery is developed and discussed with you.
- Will the surgery and consultation happen on the same day?
No. The consultation appointment is required for testing and examination, to determine the nature of your pet's health problem. Once any diagnostic test results have come back from our lab, a surgery appointment can be scheduled.
- How long will the surgery take?
Orthopedic surgeries typically last between two to four hours, depending on the type of surgery being performed and on your pet’s specific condition.
- Does my pet have to stay at the hospital overnight either before or after the surgery?
Depending on the time of day that the surgery is scheduled, it may be necessary to drop your pet off the night before.
Many of our patients need to stay with us overnight after surgery so that we can monitor them as they recover. Depending on the type of surgery that is performed and how quickly they recover after anesthesia and surgery, your pet may be able to go home on the same day.