Pet Orthopedic Surgery
We are committed to providing your pet with the best orthopedic care. Dr. Brittany and Dr. Holly are experienced surgeons with a special interest in orthopedics.
Here at Northridge Veterinary Clinic and Rehabilitation, we have the capability to perform many procedures, including:
Prior to any orthopedic surgery, there will be a consultation with one of our veterinarians. At this appointment, a team member will guide you through which surgery is best for your pet, what to expect for recovery and the estimated cost of the procedure.
Rehabilitation following an orthopedic procedure is very important to your pet’s recovery. This is one reason we include four rehabilitation sessions post-operatively.
We will make sure to be with you every step of the way, from diagnosis to surgery, and through the entire recovery process.
Types of Orthopedic Surgery
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
TPLO is a surgical procedure commonly performed to treat cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries in dogs. By altering the angle of the tibial plateau, TPLO stabilizes the knee joint and restores normal function, allowing pets to resume their normal activities without pain or discomfort.
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
FHO is a surgical procedure used to treat hip dysplasia, fractures, and other conditions affecting the hip joint. During FHO surgery, the femoral head (the “ball” of the hip joint) is removed, eliminating painful bone-on-bone contact and allowing the surrounding muscles to support the joint.
Medial Patellar Luxation (MPL) Repair
MPL is a condition in which the patella (kneecap) slips out of its normal position, causing lameness and discomfort. Surgical repair of MPL involves realigning the patella and stabilizing the joint to prevent further luxations and restore normal function.
Orthopedic Fractures
A bone fracture is a broken bone. Just as in humans, there are many causes of broken bones in dogs. All bones can break; however, some bones are more commonly broken than others in dogs. The humerus, radius, femur, and tibia are among the most commonly fractured bones in the dog. There are several different treatment methods for fracture repair.
Our veterinarians will work with you to determine the best possible treatment for your pet. We offer both surgical and non-surgical options depending on the severity and type of fracture.
Our surgical options consist of external fixation, bone plating, rods, pins, wires, and screws. Our non-surgical options include casting and splinting.
Cruciate Ligament Rupture
A tear of the cranial cruciate ligament is the most common knee injury in the dog. There are two fibrous tissue bands that cross to hold the tibia (lower leg bone) in place; these are known as the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments. A tear of either of these ligaments allows the tibia to slide out of the normal position. When this occurs, it leads to other problems such as pinching, stretching, or tearing of other structures in or around the knee joint.
There are two ways for this injury to occur. The first is an acute injury which is similar to an athletic ACL injury in a human. In humans, the injury is caused when quickly changing directions at a fast speed. In dogs, this often occurs while running or jumping. In both humans and dogs, this is a shearing injury and is painful. Most dogs will cry out and then no longer use the leg or will only toe-touch.
The second, and most common, is from chronic degeneration of the ligament. Some breeds seem to be predisposed; however, obesity and lack of exercise play a large role in this injury. Overweight dogs may rupture their ligament by doing something as trivial as tripping over a toy.
Cruciate ligament rupture generally requires surgery to stabilize the joint. After diagnosis, our veterinarians will discuss which of the following surgical procedures is the best option for you and your pet. Here at Northridge, we offer the TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) and the TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement).
Medial Patellar Luxation
Many toys or small breed dogs have a genetic predisposition to patellar luxations due to a congenitally shallow trochlear groove. A luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location. Dogs may limp on and off with this condition depending on if the kneecap is in the correct position at that specific point in time. Some dogs can tolerate this condition for many years; however, patellar luxation predisposes the knee to other injuries. Many times surgical correction is required.
Here at Northridge, we offer several different options for realignment surgery for the correction of a luxating patella.
- The patellar ligament is transplanted to its proper location.
- The groove in the femur is deepened so that the patella will stay in place.
- The capsule around the joint is tightened due to the fact that when the patella luxates, the joint capsule stretches.
Another option we offer to correct patellar luxation is called RidgeStop. A RidgeStop can be used as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with a realignment surgery. This surgery consists of applying a special implant (a prosthetic ridge called RidgeStop) onto the side of the groove where the kneecap was dislocating. This works as a way to make sure that the kneecap slides up and down while remaining in its proper groove.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common disorder in dogs. There is a wide range of severity associated with this condition, from mild to severe. Hip dysplasia can be seen in dogs as young as 6 months of age and older. Many breeds are affected by hip dysplasia, but it is more common in Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, St. Bernards, and Welsh Corgis. Clinical signs in dogs with hip dysplasia can be bunny hopping and reluctance to play, jump, or go on long walks.
Hip dysplasia can be diagnosed radiographically (X-rays). We offer both OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and PENNHIP radiographs for an evaluation of your dog’s hips. Our veterinarians will discuss with you the treatment options for hip dysplasia. For surgical correction, we offer a procedure known as FHO (femoral head ostectomy). We also have rehabilitation options to help with hip dysplasia.
Orthopedic Fractures
A bone fracture is a broken bone. Just as in humans, there are many causes of broken bones in dogs. All bones can break; however, some bones are more commonly broken than others in dogs. The humerus, radius, femur, and tibia are among the most commonly fractured bones in the dog. There are several different treatment methods for fracture repair.
Our veterinarians will work with you to determine the best possible treatment for your pet. We offer both surgical and non-surgical options depending on the severity and type of fracture.
Our surgical options consist of external fixation, bone plating, rods, pins, wires, and screws. Our non-surgical options include casting and splinting.