Orthopedic Pet Surgery

Cruciate, patella luxation, and hip surgery

Orthopedic surgery is just one of the many types of surgery offered at Trusty Vet. Rather than referring to a single surgery, orthopedic surgery is an umbrella term used to describe several bone and joint repair procedures.

Though orthopedic surgery is most commonly used to treat fractured bones, it can also be used to treat congenital defects such as elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation. Joint replacement, such as total knee replacement, is also considered an orthopedic surgery.

Conditions that can be treated with orthopedic surgery include:

• Amputation
• Fractured Bones
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Repair

Your pet's cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is similar to the human ACL and is the most commonly injured ligament in the rear leg of a dog. The CCL is an important structure that supports stability and a normal range of motion in the canine knee.

When it is torn, we see pain, swelling, lameness, and instability in the joint. Many dogs require surgery to stabilize the knee and return to normal function, and there are several types of procedures available.

At Trusty Vet, we perform what is called extracapsular repair. This surgery involves placing a strong, non-absorbable suture around the joint to mimic the function of the CCL. Long-term stability is aided by the formation of scar tissue. Extracapsular repair may not be suitable for every dog, so it's important to discuss all options with your veterinarian)

Any pet that undergoes orthopedic surgery will require at least two weeks of restricted exercise and constant monitoring. It’s important to understand that almost all orthopedic surgeries come with a lengthy recovery time and, depending on how well your pet is doing towards the end of their recovery, we may recommend canine rehabilitation.

Schedule an appointment by calling us at (256) 489-8387 or request online to learn more about orthopedic surgery.