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AMC works with the patient, owner and referring veterinarian to develop an individualized treatment plan to better assist our patients in reaching their goals. We consult with owners of performance dogs to diagnose and treat lameness, tendinopathy, and chronic pain. Treatment by Dr. Kurt Schulz, our specialist in orthopedics and sports medicine, can have a dramatic impact on the well-being of active or older patients through preventative medicine and surgical options to enhance health and fitness. Dr Schulz and members of his technical team strive to maintain a warm and comfortable environment for patients and their owners, and use a multidisciplinary approach to relieve pain, restore movement, and improve function, thereby returning patients to their maximum state of wellness.
Fracture repair can be completed by using Internal
Skeletal Fixation (ISF) where various pins, plates, screws,
and wire combinations align and stabilize fractured bones.
Some implants such as plates and screws are commonly left
in place, while others, such as pins, are often removed after
the fracture heals. When ISF is not possible, as in the case
of pets with small diameter bones or where healing has already
begun, the orthopedic procedure of External Skeletal Fixation
(ESF) implements various pins, clamps, and bars placed outside
the skin. This procedure, which uses pins running through
the bones, and bars fastened externally by clamps, will provide
for very solid fixation and fast and easy bone healing.
The cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is the
most common orthopedic injury in dogs. The cranial cruciate
ligament is one of several ligaments in the knee that maintain
the stability of the joint. Although the cause of CCLR is
unknown, its occurrence in
dogs suggests an underlying abnormality such as dysplasia
or inflammatory or vascular disease. The more traditional
surgical treatments of CCLR involve extracapsular suture surgery
or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Extracapsular
suture surgery utilizes either a natural or synthetic material
to replace the ligament. This procedure is recommended for
smaller dogs (less than 35 pounds) and does not involve bone
cutting. TPLO is a better option for larger or more active
dogs and is a technique whereby the lower bone of the joint
(tibia) is cut and rotated to eliminate the abnormal motion
of the knee during normal activity. TPLO produces a good to
excellent outcome in larger dogs and is highly recommended
for athletic dogs.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of dogs, affecting up to 25% of all dogs during their lifetime, most often in the hip and knee. The majority of osteoarthritis of the hip is due to hip dysplasia. This disease is a result of genetics which lead to poor hip conformation and laxity and subluxation (loose joints) while the dog is young. Medical management of hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis include basic treatment principles:
- Management of body weight
- Nutritional supplementation
- Moderation of exercise
- Physical therapy
- Medications
Surgery for hip dysplasia is indicated when medical management no longer maintains quality of life and function. Surgical options include the following:
- JPS - JPS is a technique of correcting the anatomy of the pelvis in a dog that is still growing. In JPS an electroscalpel is used to slow the growth of the pelvis at the pubic symphysis. This procedure has been shown to be safe, rapid, and effective in dogs less than 20 weeks of age.
- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) – Triple pelvic osteotomy is a common and safe procedure that is usually very well tolerated by dogs. In most cases they are walking on the operated leg immediately after surgery. The goal of TPO is that your dog will be out of pain, not need medications for pain management, and never need a total hip replacement.
- FHO – FHO is an excellent option in small dogs (and cats). In this surgery the ball of the ball and socket joint is removed. The hip then works by having the leg supported by the gluteal muscles. Because of their small body weight small dogs and cats tolerate this procedure very well.
- Total Hip Replacement (THR) – Total hip replacements have been performed in thousands of dogs in the United States and the world; the outcome is generally excellent in 85% to 90% of dogs. If you are considering total hip replacement, please see our information sheet on “Management of Hip Dysplasia in the Older Dog.” (link)
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