Surgeries involving the bone are described as orthopedic surgery.  Depending on the type of surgery required, surgeries that require special equipment or are very complex will be referred to a Board Certified surgeon.  Hip replacement, cruciate ligament repair, spinal surgery are some examples, although the most common type of orthopedic surgery seen at our hospital is fracture repair.  The type of the fracture and location will determine the method of repair.  After the patient is stable, an x-ray will allow the veterinarian to decide on a treatment technique. 

A splint may be used to provide temporary limb support or as a primary mean to stabilize a fracture.  There are some minor complications that may occur such as swelling of the limb distal to the splint, splint slippage, and skin abrasion, or some serious complications such as fracture nonunion or loss of limb due to necrosis.  Therefore, careful at home monitoring of the splint and adherence to the veterinarian’s guidelines is mandatory.  

If surgery is required, the fracture can be repaired by several techniques based on the location and nature of the fracture. For certain fractures of the humerus, femur, and tibia, an intramedullary (IM) pin is inserted in the middle of the bone transversally to the break.  This internal fixation technique is called pinning.  In some instances, IM pins are supplemented with other implants to increase rotational and axial support such as an orthopedic wire.  Cerclage wire is an orthopedic wire that is placed around the circumference of the bone and it is used to provide added stability to long oblique fractures, spiral fractures, and comminuted (fragmented) fractures.  When the orthopedic wire is placed through predrilled holes in the bone it is called a hemicerclage wire. 

Another popular and versatile method of fracture fixation is the use of bone plates and screws.  They are used to stabilize any long bone fracture and are commonly used to repair fractures of the axial skeleton (bones of the skull, spine, ribs, and sternum).  An alternative to internal fixation techniques is external fixation.  External fixation is when pins are passed through the skin and into the bone with the clamps and bars on the outside.  This technique sometimes allows for faster healing because the fracture does not need to be surgically exposed or manipulated. 

Regardless of the type of orthopedic surgery your pet might need, be assured that we will provide you with the best treatment options to promote faster healing.  Our main concern is the health of your pet, and our goal is to help you make a well-informed decision on the best method of treatment even if that treatment is not available through our hospital.