Frequently Asked Questions About Orthopedic Surgery at Collierville Animal Clinic & Surgery Center

If you've been told that you should consider orthopedic surgery for your pet, you may be both worried and curious about this field of veterinary medicine. If so, check out these answers to some frequently asked orthopedic surgery questions here at Collierville Animal Clinic & Surgery Center.

What Is Orthopedic Surgery?

Orthopedic surgery is surgery aimed at repairing a joint or bone. This form of surgical treatment is commonly performed on pets and humans alike. Our vet center may prescribe it for complex fracture repair, to restore function and stability in an injured knee joint, to ease pain and improve range of motion in a hip joint, or to relieve severe spinal pain.

How and Why Do You Repair Fractures Surgically?

While some fractures are simple and clean enough to heal with only a cast, others may feature splintered or dislocated bone pieces that must be reconnected through surgery. Metal rods are sometimes used to reinforce long weight-bearing joints as they heal. Shattered bones or joints are often repaired by drawing them back together and holding them in place with metal screws.

What Are the Surgical Options for Restoring a Damaged Knee Joint?

Pets' knees are prone to ruptures of the CCL ligament, which causes pain and lameness. Smaller, lighter pets may receive an artificial ligament in the form of a suture attached to the outside of the joint. Larger pets may need a procedure to alter the shape of joint components so they can support the body without a working ligament. Examples include TPLO (triple plateau leveling osteotomy) and TTL (tibial tuberosity advancement).

How Does Surgery Help Pets With Hip Problems?

Dysplasia is the common degenerative hip problem in pets. This condition may start early in life and grow steadily more crippling over time. A younger animal may benefit from a corrective procedure known as a double or triple pelvic osteotomy, which alters the angle of the joint for improved function. Severe dysplasia may be treated with the installation of an artificial hip joint, or by removing the femoral head and allowing scar tissue to form in its place.

How Do Pets Benefit From Spinal Surgery?

Spinal surgery can relieve painful spinal conditions such as bulging discs or osteoarthritis. In many cases, our vet clinic can perform surgery on the bulging disc to ease nerve compression. We may also fuse adjacent vertebrae to eliminate osteoarthritis pain.

Need a Germantown, Piperton or Collierville Veterinarian?

If your pet needs orthopedic surgery in Collierville, Germantown or Piperton, talk to the right veterinarian for the job. Call (901) 853-8519 today!