Orthopedic surgery includes any surgery having to do with bone. Fractures (broken bones) are one of the most common orthopedic problems that we need to treat surgically. Fractures can be repaired by a whole host of techniques, including the use of pins, plates, screws, wires, and splints. The tools used for orthopedic surgery include drills, saws, hammers and chisels. If you need your basement renovated, call an orthopedic surgeon.
Cruciate ligament injuries are another common injury. The cruciate ligaments are located in the knee, and help to stabilize the joint. Over-extension of the knee, or a degeneration of the ligament with age can cause the ligament to stretch, tear, 
or rupture. This leads to pain and limping in the affected leg. Without surgical repair, these patients will eventually develop terrible arthritis in the affected joint, which will permanently decrease their quality of life and lead to chronic pain.
Young patients are not immune to orthopedic problems. Dogs, especially large breeds, are at risk of several developmental abnormalities that affect the bones and the joints, leading to pain and lameness. Hip dysplasia is the most well known of these problems, but similar conditions occur in the elbows or other joints of the body. Although some of these conditions may be treated medically, a large number require surgical intervention.
If a surgical procedure requires specialized equipment or expertise, we are able to arrange for a board certified surgeon to come into our hospital to perform surgery for your pet, avoiding the need to travel to a referral hospital, and enabling us to continue to care for your pet after surgery until he or she is ready to come home.
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