Orthopedic surgery refers to bone surgery. There are many different situations where bone surgery may be necessary including broken bones or leg fractures, hip dysplasia, patellar or knee subluxations, anterior cruciate ruptures, disc disease, etc. Most routine orthopedic surgeries can be performed at our clinic. For major complicated orthopedic procedures we refer our patients out to a Board Certified surgeon in Winnipeg or Saskatoon to perform back surgery or other very complex procedures.
Broken legs or limb fractures are the most common orthopedic problem presented at our clinic and usually result from a mishap with an automobile or a bigger animal. They can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the location and type of fracture.
For many dislocation or greenstick fractures a simple splint will provide enough support to allow for proper healing. A cast can be applied to the leg to treat certain fractures; however, many fractures will require surgical intervention.
“Pinning” is a surgical technique whereby a long stainless steel rod is inserted into the middle of the bone. The rod traverses the fractured area and usually cerclage wires are used to create stability and prevent rotation. Often times the pin will be removed once the bones are healed properly.
“Plating” is a surgical technique whereby a flat stainless steel ‘plate’ is attached to the bone using screws on either side of the fracture.
“External fixation” is a technique used to stabilize fractures with 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.
The method of repair will depend on the location and type of fracture present. We hope you do not have to use our orthopedic services for this purpose, but in the unfortunate event that you do, you can be assured that we are able to proceed with a treatment that will enhance your pet’s healing time and reduce the long term potential problems associated with a fracture or other orthopedic surgery.
There are a lots of knee or stifle problems that need to be corrected surgically. Luxating patellas or popping kneecaps are common in smaller breeds and they do much better with early surgical intervention. Ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments are see more in larger dogs and these can be repaired using a number of different surgical techniques which provide stability and pain relief.
The post-operative nursing care and rehabilitation is often them most important factor determining the success of the orthopedic surgery. Strict rest and constant supervision for 6 -8 weeks after the procedure is extremely imperative. No abnormal stress or strain can be put on the surgical site before the bones are healed together properly.
