We perform many types of orthopedic (bone) surgeries in our clinic. Because we want to ensure that our patients receive the best possible outcome, we typically refer them to a board-certified orthopedic surgeons to perform these complex surgeries. Luckily, many of these orthopedic surgeries can still be done in our very own hospital with our support staff thanks to traveling board certified orthopedic surgeons, such as Dr. Rebecca Stanclift DVM, DACVS, of Northeastern Veterinary Surgery, LLC
Cruciate Ligament (ACL/CCL) tears are generally the most common orthopedic problem diagnosed. In some cases, surgery is not always required and ligament tears can heal or be managed by either Acupuncture or Rehabilitation Therapy including Laser Therapy.
If surgery route is chosen or deemed necessary for recovery, the most common and most stable method to repair a cruciate ligament tear in larger dogs is called TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy). Additionally, another method called Lateral Suture Repair can also be performed and is generally recommended for smaller, less active breeds.
Leg fractures are also a common orthopedic problem presented at our clinic. They can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the location and type of fracture. We can apply a cast to treat certain fractures; however, many fractures will require surgical intervention:
- “Pinning” stabilizes the fracture by inserting a long stainless steel rod into the middle of the bone across the fractured area.
- “Plating” involves attaching a flat stainless steel plate to the bone using screws on either side of the fracture.
- “External fixation” stabilizes fractures using a series of pins on the outside of the leg that pass through the skin and into the bone on either side of the fracture.
We also perform a lot of orthopedic surgeries related to hip dysplasia and luxating patellas (floating knee cap). Please contact us if you have any questions about these procedures or if you think your pet might benefit from them.
