Orthopedic Procedures

What is a Cruciate Ligament?

There are 2 ligaments in the stifle (knee) that are called the cruciate ligaments because they cross each other. One runs from the back of the femur (thigh bone) to the front of the tibia (shin bone). This one is called the cranial cruciate ligament. The other one runs from the front of the femur to the back of the tibia and is called the caudal cruciate ligament. Cruciate ligaments are important for the hinge joint function of the stifle joint. They help to keep the stifle aligned and the cranial cruciate ligament especially prevents internal rotation of the stifle, forward displacement of the tibia, and hyperextension.

What is degenerative joint disease?

DJD is more commonly known as arthritis. This is a progressive, non-infectious condition of the weight-bearing joints. Normal, healthy joint cartilage is smooth, white and translucent. It consists of cartilage cells, protein, water, and collagen that forms a sponge-like middle. In the early stages of arthritis, the cartilage becomes yellow, opaque, and softens to create a rough joint surface. As the disease progresses, the soft areas become worn and expose the hard bone underneath, causing remodeling. This progression leads to osteophytes (bone spurs) in the joint and a decreased blood supply that inhibits cartilage repair. DJD can be caused by aging changes in a joint or by a mechanical instability. Mechanical instabilities are most often the result of joint abnormalities (such as hip or elbow dysplasia), trauma, or wear from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, luxating patella, or osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).

What is a Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy?

The hip is a ball and socket joint, with the femoral head (the upper part of the leg) being the ball and the acetabulum (a portion of the pelvis) comprising the socket. Femoral head and neck ostectomy is a surgical procedure in which we remove the ball portion and the attachment (neck) portion from the rest of the femur, which in essence removes the hip joint. The body forms a ‘new hip’ in the months following surgery. But unlike the normal contact of bone and cartilage, the new hip is a collection of scar tissue with additional support from the surrounding muscles and joint capsule.

FHO is a surgical treatment for hip disorders such as a fractured hip, hip dysplasia, hip luxation, and Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease in small dogs (less than 50 lbs) and cats. These animals are usually too small for the smallest hip replacement available for animals.

What is a Medial Patellar Luxation?

Medial patellar luxation is a condition in which the kneecap (patella) pops out of its groove. It can pop to the inside of the knee or the outside of the knee making the knee quite unstable. This condition is often diagnosed in small breed dogs, frequently effecting both rear legs and can be either traumatic or congenital. Congenital MPL is far more common and is most often the cause of MPL in small dog breeds and in cats. In large breeds, MPL can be due to a congenital problem but can also occur secondary to trauma. MPL occurs most commonly in breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Papillion, Miniature Poodles, but also can be seen in Labrador Retrievers, Great Pyrenees, and other large breeds.

The condition is usually first detected in 6-12 month old puppies and the condition can worsen over time from a mild and only occasionally popping patella to a chronically luxated patella that cannot be put back into the femoral groove anymore. This is called a Grade 4 medial patellar luxation.

What is Osteochondritis Dissecans?

Osteochondritis Dissecans is an abnormality in development of bone from cartilage. As a result, within joints such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle (hock), a flap of cartilage can develop causing lameness. The shoulder and elbow are more commonly affected. The development of OCD is secondary to multiple factors including diet, growth rate, genetics, trauma, hormonal imbalance and joint architecture.

What is a hip Dysplasia?

Early hip dysplasia (HD) is seen as an increased laxity (looseness) of the hip joint. The late form of HD is characterized by degenerative joint disease (arthritis). Early signs can be diagnosed before 6 months of age, while the late stage is often apparent as soon as 1 year of age.