Orthopaedic Pet Surgery In Melbourne
Restore your pet’s comfort and mobility for an active, pain-free life.
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What is orthopaedic pet surgery?
Orthopaedic surgery refers to surgical procedures that address conditions affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
It's commonly used to treat issues such as:
- Cruciate ligament injuries
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Joint dislocations
- Hip or elbow dysplasia
Orthopaedic Surgery Services
For dogs
We offer surgery for conditions such as cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCL), congenital limb deformity, dislocations, fracture repair and more.
For cats
Cats will also at times require surgery for cruciate ligament disease, dislocation, fractures and certain types of cancer.
Cruciate ligament surgery
Cruciate ligament disease is common in dogs, causing knee pain and lameness when the ligament weakens or tears. Surgery helps stabilise the joint, reduce inflammation, and improve quality of life, though not all dogs will need it.
There are two types of surgery:
De Angelis
(lateral suture)
This technique is suitable for small dogs.
It involves placing a heavy gauge suture on the outer aspect of the knee joint, anchoring the femur and shin back together and providing stability once more.
TPLO
(Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy)
This is a better technique for larger dogs or those with more complicated disease.
A small section of the tibia (shin bone) is cut and repositioned, then secured in place with a plate and screws. This alters the angle of the weight bearing surface of the stifle joint, effectively stabilising the joint and eliminating the need for the cranial cruciate ligament.
Fracture repair
Some fractures in dogs and cats can heal with appropriate rest and bandaging or cast support. Some however need surgery to align the bones correctly and hold them in place while they heal. The type of surgery and the prognosis depends on the complexity of the fracture, the bone involved, and the size, age and temperament of the patient.
Patella luxation repair
Patella luxation is common in small breeds like toy Poodles, Maltese Terriers, Pomeranians, and Chihuahuas. Mild cases may cause little discomfort, while severe ones can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis. Surgery can stabilise the patella, reduce pain from dislocations, and slow arthritis progression.
Hip surgery
Hip dislocation in dogs or cats may require surgery to restore joint stability. A “toggle” procedure secures the femur head in the hip socket, while severe cases might need femoral head removal for faster recovery and less pain. For hip dysplasia, young dogs may be referred to specialists for surgeries that improve mobility and reduce pain.
Amputation
In some cases, amputation of a tail, toe, or limb may be necessary if no other treatment options are viable. Severe fractures and bone cancer are the most common reasons for this. Amputation can help relieve pain and improve quality of life when preserving the affected area is not possible.
FAQs
This depends on the severity of the condition type of surgery and temperament of your pet.
Recovery from cruciate ligament surgery such as a TPLO will take 8-12 weeks in most cases. The recovery time comprises an initial stage of complete restriction to a pen or a crate with toilet breaks only, progressing to more freedom around the house and finally slow, controlled on lead exercise for dogs to build up muscle strength.
A straightforward fracture repair should heal within 6-8 weeks.
Pain control is of utmost importance. Several types of pain relief are used during the procedure and post-operatively to ensure their pain is at an absolute minimum.
Pain relief strategies include opioid injections, epidurals, local anaesthetic injections, opioid transdermal patches, anti-inflammatory medications and other oral pain relief medications.
Keeping your pet rested will also minimise their discomfort.
If you feel your pet is in pain post operatively, please let us know straight away so we can help
The decision for orthopaedic surgery is based on your pet’s symptoms, a thorough veterinary physical exam and usually imaging results such as x-rays.
If you think your pet may have an orthopaedic condition, make an appointment with one of our vets to discuss.
Older pets can also be affected by the conditions for which surgery is available. Whether surgical treatment is right for your pet will depend not only on their age, but their stage of life and how affected they are by the condition.
Many conditions can be medically managed in an older cat or dog, but in some instances surgery will still be beneficial to get them back to the same quality of life they have been enjoying.
Every pet is different and one treatment option will suit some but not others.
Anaesthetic risk is still very low for older pets, especially those who are otherwise still healthy. Our vets will perform a thorough clinical evaluation and be able to discuss in detail the treatment options to guide you through the decision making process.
As always, your pet’s wellbeing is kept front and foremost.
Help your dog or cat move freely again
We offer effective treatments to improve their comfort and quality of life.
Visit us today
