Orthopedics

Police dogs or military working dogs can present interesting challenges for the veterinary clinician.

There are many times that a medical problem arises in the field far away from any veterinary services. During these times preparation may be what saves a dog's life.

It is important to understand that canine locomotion occurs as a result of the summation of all of the body segments and joints moving and working together.

In any dog there can be times when an activity stresses the dog's metabolic processes to extremes.

Back problems are a common cause of poor performance in all horses - especially competitive horses, whose jumping ability may be diminished.

Treatment of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency is the most common surgical procedure performed in veterinary orthopedics.

There are some situations in veterinary practice for which no amount of formal education can prepare you.

Columbia, Mo. - Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine are growing cartilage in a lab that can be molded into permanent joint replacements for dogs and eventually humans.

Hawkes Bay, New Zealand - If you think your job is a pain in the neck, you're not alone.

Osteoarthritis is a common problem for the athletic horse and has been estimated to cause 60 percent of lameness cases in the athletic horse.

The perception still exists that any veterinarian with some exercise equipment an underwater treadmill can practice rehabilitation.

Athens, Ga. - Osteoarthritis affects millions of dogs each year. Joint injuries can lead to the development of OA later in life.

Metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures are common injuries seen in the dog, typically resulting from automobile trauma, being stepped upon or having the paw trapped under a rigid object.

My experience with using newspaper to make spica, meta and back splints spans more than 30 years.

In last month's column we discussed the pathophysiology of intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). Once IVDD is diagnosed, the clinician must again use the history (onset and course of clinical signs) and the physical exam (neurological status) to formulate the therapeutic plan.

Louisville, Ky. - Churchill Downs will unveil a bronze Barbaro Memorial Statue today during a dedication ceremony.

Equine orthopedic specialist Dr. Dean W. Richardson kicked off sessions at CVC East in Baltimore by sharing his experience on the national stage when he treated Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro following the colt's tragic breakdown in the Preakness Stakes.

Patella luxation is a common orthopedic condition in dogs. It may cause varying degrees of lameness, pain, and progression of osteoarthritis.

Synovial fluid analysis is an essential test for diagnosing joint disease in dogs and cats.

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is the most common cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs.

Pelvic fractures are common, representing 20-30% of fractures in small animals.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in small animal medicine. It is estimated to affect 20% of the United States' canine population, translating to over 10 million dogs.

In the first of these articles we looked at the wide array of different treatment modalities and therapies available for use in horses suffering from varying types of tendon and ligament injuries, and forms of joint disease. Multiple treatment options are available, from stem cells to platelet-rich plasma to shock-wave therapy to Tildren.

Researchers knew that the equine genome project eventually would lead to monumental discoveries and new methods of diagnosis and treatment of significant benefit to the horse.

Canine hip dysplasia affects millions of dogs each year. Abnormal development in the dysplastic hip causes damage to the articular cartilage of the joint, resulting in osteoarthritis, severe pain and eventually debilitation.