Orthopedic Surgery
When your beloved pet faces mobility challenges due to bone or joint issues, specialized care becomes essential for their quality of life. At Jefferson Animal Hospital, our expert veterinary team delivers comprehensive orthopedic surgery services tailored to your pet’s unique needs. Drs. Jason Phillips and Steave Breeding and our skilled veterinarians combine advanced surgical techniques with compassionate care to help your furry family members regain comfort and mobility.
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Understanding Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic surgery for pets addresses conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. These specialized procedures help correct injuries, congenital issues, and degenerative conditions that limit your pet’s mobility or cause pain.
Unlike general surgical procedures, orthopedic surgery requires specialized training, equipment, and expertise to ensure optimal outcomes. Our veterinary surgeons stay current with the latest advancements in veterinary orthopedics to provide your pet with the highest level of surgical care.
Benefits of Orthopedic Surgery
- Improved Weight Distribution
- Reduced Risk
- Slowed Progression of Arthritis
- Improved Neurological Function
- Enhanced Sleeping Comfort
Improved Weight Distribution and Gait Mechanics
Orthopedic surgery corrects abnormal biomechanics that cause pets to shift weight inappropriately when walking or standing. This proper alignment prevents compensatory strain on the non-affected limbs, spine, and other joints. Our orthopedic specialists can assess how your pet’s gait mechanics improve through recovery, ensuring optimal functional outcomes from the surgical intervention.
Reduced Risk of Muscle Atrophy
When pets suffer from orthopedic conditions, they often limit the use of the affected limb, leading to significant muscle wasting over time. Successful orthopedic surgical procedures address the underlying issue, allowing pets to resume normal limb use and rebuild essential muscle mass. This muscle preservation is particularly important in dogs recovering from orthopedic injuries like cruciate tears or hip dysplasia.
Slowed Progression of Arthritis
While orthopedic surgery cannot reverse existing arthritis, it can significantly slow its progression by improving joint alignment and stability. By creating a more stable joint environment through orthopedic surgery, your veterinarian helps minimize the inflammatory processes that accelerate arthritic changes.
Improved Neurological Function
Many orthopedic conditions, particularly those affecting the spine, can compromise neurological function if left untreated. Pets experiencing early signs of neurological compromise often show remarkable improvement following appropriate orthopedic surgery. Our comprehensive approach to orthopedic care includes thorough assessment before and after surgical intervention to ensure optimal outcomes for pets with complex neuromuscular conditions.
Enhanced Sleeping Comfort and Rest Quality
Pets suffering from orthopedic pain often struggle to find comfortable sleeping positions, leading to restlessness and poor sleep quality. Following successful orthopedic surgery and recovery, many pet owners report their companions sleep more soundly through the night without frequent position changes or discomfort vocalizations.
Our Orthopedic Surgery Process
Thorough Orthopedic Assessment
Your pet’s path to mobility improvement begins with a comprehensive orthopedic examination. We assess your pet’s overall health status to determine surgical candidacy and discuss how the orthopedic condition impacts their daily activities and quality of life. This foundational step allows us to develop the most appropriate surgical approach for your pet’s specific needs.
Personalized Surgical Consultation
Following diagnosis, we provide a detailed discussion of your pet’s orthopedic condition and available surgical options. We review expected outcomes, recovery timelines, and potential complications, ensuring you fully understand the recommended orthopedic intervention. Your questions and concerns guide this conversation as we develop a surgical plan aligned with your pet’s needs and your expectations.
State-of-the-Art Surgical Intervention
On surgery day, your pet receives premier orthopedic care in our modern surgical suite. Our veterinary team implements strict surgical protocols including advanced anesthesia monitoring, proper positioning to protect joint structures, and meticulous surgical technique. Throughout the procedure, a dedicated veterinary technician monitors your pet’s vital signs and comfort, adjusting anesthesia and providing supportive care as needed.
Comprehensive Recovery Support
The immediate post-operative period is crucial for successful orthopedic outcomes. Your pet recovers under close supervision with individualized pain management protocols combining medication and comfort measures. Before discharge, we provide clear instructions for at-home orthopedic care including activity restrictions, wound monitoring, and medication administration.
Progressive Rehabilitation Monitoring
Follow-up examinations allow us to track your pet’s orthopedic healing and make necessary adjustments to their recovery plan. As recovery progresses, we gradually introduce additional therapeutic exercises and controlled activity to strengthen supporting muscles and improve joint function. Our orthopedic team remains available between appointments to address any concerns, ensuring your pet achieves optimal mobility and comfort following their orthopedic procedure.
Why Choose Us for Orthopedic Surgery
Jefferson Animal Hospital stands apart in veterinary orthopedic care through our unique combination of technical expertise and individualized attention for each pet. Our veterinary team uses advanced diagnostic tools to precisely evaluate orthopedic conditions before developing tailored surgical plans that consider your pet’s age, breed characteristics, and activity requirements. We provide comprehensive support, from detailed pre-operative counseling to personalized rehabilitation plans that fit your schedule and home environment.
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Movement Today
Your pet deserves freedom from orthopedic pain and the joy of unrestricted movement. Drs. Jason Phillips and Steave Breeding and our dedicated team at Jefferson Animal Hospital provide the expert orthopedic surgical care that will make this possible.
Schedule your orthopedic consultation today by calling 706-367-5161 or visiting our website, and connect with us on Facebook to see before-and-after videos of our orthopedic surgery success stories.
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FAQs
How to help a dog pee after knee surgery?
Create a level, non-slip surface in a designated elimination area close to your home to minimize walking distance. Use a supportive sling or towel placed under your dog’s abdomen (not touching the surgical area) to provide stability without putting pressure on the repaired knee. Keep your dog on a short leash during these bathroom breaks to prevent sudden movements or jumping. For male dogs who normally lift their leg, you may need to accept that they’ll urinate in a squatting position during recovery.
Is dog knee surgery worth it?
Without surgical intervention, dogs with knee injuries often develop progressive arthritis, persistent pain, and diminished mobility that medication alone cannot adequately address. While the initial investment in orthopedic knee surgery is significant, many pet owners report that seeing their dog return to comfortable movement and normal activities justifies the expense and recovery period.
How to care for a cat after knee surgery?
Cats present unique challenges during orthopedic recovery due to their independent nature and climbing tendencies. Confine your recovering cat to a single room with all necessities to prevent jumping and stair climbing. Ensure the litter box has a low entry point to prevent straining the surgical site when entering and exiting. Monitor the incision site daily for signs of infection or irritation, and use an E-collar if your cat attempts to lick or chew the area. Administer all prescribed medications as directed, even if challenging. Most importantly, prevent jumping on furniture by creating comfortable ground-level resting areas throughout the recovery period.
Will a dog's ACL heal on its own?
Unlike minor sprains or strains, a complete tear of a dog’s cranial cruciate ligament will not heal on its own due to the limited blood supply to this structure and the constant stress placed on the joint during normal movement. Without surgical intervention, the instability in the knee joint leads to progressive arthritis, meniscal damage, and chronic pain.
What is ACL injury in dogs?
In dogs, the cranial cruciate ligament is a crucial stabilizing structure within the knee joint. A CCL injury occurs when this ligament becomes damaged or completely ruptured, resulting in joint instability, pain, and lameness. Unlike humans who typically injure their ACL through traumatic events, dogs often develop CCL injuries through progressive degeneration of the ligament over time, though acute tears can occur during strenuous activity.
