Animal Care Center of Downers Grove
Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgery can help pets who suffer from joint problems, torn ligaments, broken bones, and even help correct congenital problems.
Overview
Orthopedic surgery treats bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles—areas in which your pet may feel pain in from a variety of conditions. If veterinary orthopedic surgery is recommended for your pet, we will do everything possible to keep them safe and comfortable before, during, and after the surgery.
Why would my pet need orthopedic surgery?
Orthopedic surgery can help animals who suffer from joint problems, torn ligaments, broken bones, and can even help correct congenital problems. Most orthopedic surgery is focused around the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), sometimes referred to as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
When should I seek orthopedic care for my pet?
Pay attention to the way your pet is moving around, any unusual changes may mean they have an orthopedic condition.
Typical symptoms of an orthopedic disorder include difficulty getting up, favoring a leg intermittently when walking, limping - swelling in the leg, stiffness or decreased activity level. If you notice any of these problems, you should take your pet to our facility for an examination.
How are typical orthopedic injuries treated?
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is used to repair a torn ligament by changing the dynamic of the animal’s knee. The ligament becomes irrelevant to the stability of the knee by counteracting the force that caused the ligament to tear. The reconstructive surgery cuts the tibia bone, rotates it, and becomes held in place with metal plates. This is an extremely effective long-term solution for the injury.
Lateral Fabellar Suture (LFS)
This procedure represents the traditional surgical repair for the cruciate rupture. It can be performed without specialized equipment and is far less invasive than the newer procedures described below. First, the knee joint is opened and inspected. The torn or partly torn cruciate ligament is removed. Any bone spurs of significant size are bitten away with an instrument called a rongeur. If the meniscus is torn, the damaged portion is removed. A large, strong suture is passed around the fabella behind the knee and through a hole drilled in the front of the tibia. This tightens the joint to prevent drawer motion, effectively taking over the job of the cruciate ligament.
Luxating Patella Surgery
Patellar luxation is a dislocated kneecap and most commonly seen in small breed dogs. Most patellar luxation occurs when the patellar displaces from its normal position to the inside of the knee. Pets with this condition may have an intermittent non-weight bearing lameness and you may even hear a popping noise in their knee. There are many ways to treat this from a simple knee brace for a Grade 1 luxation, to realignment surgery for lower grade luxations. Bring your pet in so we can determine the best way to treat the luxation.
Vaccination Requirements
Dogs
1 or 3-year rabies vaccine
1 or 3 year Distemper combo or 3-year distemper plus current 1-year lepto vaccine
6-month Bordetella vaccine
Canine influenza vaccine
Parasite-negative fecal test within last 12 months
Cats
1-year rabies vaccine
1-year distemper
Negative feline leukemia test - indoor cats only
1-year feline leukemia vaccine - outdoor cats only
Parasite-negative fecal test within last 12 months