Orthopedics

Current treatment options for osteoarthritis are extensive and can be categorized into medical/ conservative or surgical therapies. Medical therapies may consist of weight control, exercise modification, rehabilitation therapy, pain management medications, oral joint protective compounds, and intra-articular treatments.

The most common hind limb orthopedic/sports medicine conditions afflicting active dogs are iliopsoas strains, cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) insuffiency and gracilis and semitendinosus contracture. Of the hind limb muscular injuries iliopsoas strain is, by a considerable margin, seen more frequently than gracilis and semitendinosus contracture.

There are numerous studies indicating the positive benefits of rehabilitation therapy following CCL surgery. In summary, rehabilitation therapy has been shown to improve muscle mass and attenuate muscle atrophy that occurs in the post-operative period, increase stifle joint ROM, especially extension, improve weight-bearing as measured by force plate analysis, and reduce the progression of osteoarthritis.

Soft tissue injuries and osteoarthritis are common conditions afflicting active dogs due to the repetitive forces placed on the joints. Microtrauma to the tendons, ligaments, and the articular surfaces of joints can occur, creating an environment for osteoarthritic development.

Metallic implants placed in the body should be corrosion-resistant, biocompatible, and must have adequate strength to withstand functional stress. Corrosion of metal occurs because of the electrochemical ions in body fluid. Most metal implants currently used in veterinary surgery are of 316L stainless steel.

Similar to dogs, joint disorders of the cat are common. Despite this fact, the reported treatment options for cats with joint disease are limited. The object of this presentation is to describe the clinical findings, surgical / arthroscopic findings and post-operative management of cats with joint disorders including elbow osteoarthritis and medial compartment disease, shoulder osteoarthritis and medial shoulder instability, and cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency.

Diagnosing and treating forelimb conditions in dogs can be very challenging. Many dogs present with a similar history including minimal responsive to rest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and increased lameness following exercise and heavy activity. It can be difficult to localize the lesion on palpation as many dogs may show increased sensitivity in the shoulder and elbow from referred pain and compensation.

A working definition of antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery is the administration of an antimicrobial drug to a patient, in the absence of infection, prior to surgery. The history of the use of these agents during surgery is interesting and reveals many of the problems which occur with their use.

Four studies on treating joint disease.

A roundtable discussion of joint health and disease in dogs and cats.

Owners and veterinarians often seek additional therapies for dogs with osteoarthritis that are safe and effective.

The advantages of the tightrope repair technique.

Check out these three options for optimal joint care and comfort.

Cranial cruciate ligament injuries are some of the most common orthopedic conditions seen in small animal practice. Even so, the optimal treatment modality is hotly debated within the profession. Each new surgery is introduced with great fanfare but, in most clinical studies, the fabellar suture technique in one iteration or another has been found to be superior or equal to other methods.

A variety of approaches have been proposed to assist in making decisions regarding fracture management. At the most basic level, the task is to evaluate what is needed and then assess one's own capabilities. In so doing, fractures that one is properly able to manage can be dealt with appropriately and mistakes can be avoided that would prove detrimental to the patient.

Canine hip dysplasia is a very common orthopedic condition and every small- or mixed-animal practitioner will see cases. Despite this, the management of this syndrome can be frustrating and confusing to the clinician as well as the client. Questions about prognosis, what surgery to recommend (and when), various aspects of medical management and more are difficult to answer definitively.

A number of fractures can be managed conservatively or with external coaptation. Still others can be dealt with using combinations of pins and wire. It is only when clinicians are able to utilize bone plating or external fixators that the number of manageable fractures truly expands.

Just as in the human population, the incidence of osteoarthritis in veterinary patients is very high. Many of the developmental diseases as well as traumatic injuries ultimately become cases of osteoarthritis management. As with any chronic progressive (and largely incurable) disease, the treatment can be frustrating. In fact, treatment of arthritis is easy when the client is patient, willing, and has a lot of money.

Canine hip dysplasia is a very common orthopedic condition and every small- or mixed-animal practitioner will see cases. Despite this, the management of this syndrome can be frustrating and confusing to the clinician as well as the client. Questions about prognosis, what surgery to recommend (and when), various aspects of medical management and more are difficult to answer definitively.

Signs, diagnostic testing of this painful condition that can affect any dog.

Both human and equine athletes are subject to leg muscle injuries.

The goal of total hip replacement is a pain-free joint that mimics normal biomechanics with excellent long-term function.

Osteoarthritis can result from direct trauma to the joint or cartilage, injury to ligaments or soft tissues resulting in joint instability, obesity or developmental disease. The effect of osteoarthritis varies, with a wide range of severity and associated radiographic and clinical signs; however, resultant discomfort and activity restrictions can have a profound effect on quality of life.

Traumatic fragmented medial coronoid process (TFMCP) is a condition in the elbow joint of dogs that appears to occur commonly in performance dogs.

Elbow dysplasia is a collective term for the developmental orthopedic diseases of the canine elbow. Traditionally, it refers to ununited anconeal process (UAP), osteochondrosis of the humeral condyle (OCD), and fragmentation of the medial coronoid process (FCP).

Juvenile orthopedic diseases are a common cause of lameness and discomfort in young animals. A patient's signalment, history and complete physical examination are necessary to localize the disease, establish differential diagnoses and develop a diagnostic plan.

Hip dysplasia is the most common developmental orthopedic disease in dogs. First described in the 1930's, it continues to affect millions of dogs worldwide. Large breed dogs are most commonly diagnosed, however small breed dogs and cats also are affected.

Juxta-articular fractures are fractures occurring near the joint surface. They may be intra- or extra-articular.

Gunshot wounds can be a common injury in veterinary medicine varying from shotgun and rifle injuries in rural areas to handguns and air powered weapons in cosmopolitan areas. The severity of injury resulting from gunshots is variable as well based on the type and composition of the bullet, the projectile (flight) characteristics, kinetic energy absorbed on impact and tissues involved.

Patella luxation is a common orthopedic condition in dogs. It may cause varying degrees of lameness, pain, and progression of osteoarthritis. It is most commonly diagnosed in small breed dogs, however large breed dogs are also affected.