Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery refers to bone surgery. There are many different situations where bone surgery may be necessary including leg fractures, hip dysplasia, disc disease, etc. Some orthopedic surgeries can be performed at our clinic and some cannot. If a patient requires complex orthopedic surgery, we may refer them to a Board Certified surgeon. The Fox Valley Animal Referral Center in Appleton or the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison are both excellent animal care hospitals.

ACL/CCL Rupture 

A common orthopedic problem presented at our clinic is a cranial or anterior cruciate ligament tear, or CCL/ACL tear. Most often seen in larger breed dogs, an examination performed by one of our veterinarians can diagnose this injury. In some cases, sedation and/or xrays may be necessary. Once diagnosed, a dog may require surgery, medication, or physical therapy. For more information about ACL/CCL rupture, click here.

If surgical ACL/CCL repair is the best option for your pet, our veterinarians are skilled in two techniques, Lateral Suture Stabilization and most recently, the Tightrope CCL technique. 

Lateral Suture Stabilization is the most common technique used to treat CCL disease in dogs. It is one of the "extracapsular" techniques which means the function of the CCL, which is inside the joint, is replaced by placing a suture outside the joint. The suture, which is a medical grade "fishing line", is placed around the fabella and through the tibia providing a soft tissue-to-bone stabilizer of the joint during healing. The suture acts as a temporary stabilizer as the dog makes new functional scar tissue around the knee for long-term joint stability.

The Tightrope CCL technique was developed in 2008 to provide a minimally invasive and improved method for stabilization. Small drill holes are made in the femur and tibia to pass a synthetic ligament-like biomaterial through to provide bone-to-bone stabilization during healing. This biomaterial called Fibertape®, is a kevlar-like material that is used in human orthopedics. It has properties that make it stronger and less prone to failure than other suture materials currently being utilized.  
See animations of this surgical technique
See videos of this surgical technique (warning: graphic content)

Both of these techniques require a great deal of strict follow-up care, which may include rest, medication, weight managment, physical therapy and recheck appointments with the veterinarian. The most important thing an owner can do to optimize their dog's outcome is commit to all the instructions provided after surgery.

Fractures

Leg fractures are another common orthopedic problem and often result from a mishap with an automobile. They can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the location and type of fracture. A cast or splint can be applied to the leg to treat certain fractures; however, many fractures will require surgical intervention.