Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery involves bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Fractured bones and torn ligaments are some of the most common injuries seen by the veterinary surgeon. In many cases, there are multiple injuries to the pet often as the result of trauma. Advanced techniques including the use of steel plates and screws or elaborate bone pin and clamp systems are required to adequately stabilize these injuries so that the pet can heal normally.

The surgeon also sees more subtle, chronic injuries that can be difficult to diagnose and frustrating to the pet owner. Sporting dogs, like human athletes, may acquire these injuries that though not debilitating, decrease their performance in the sport. Often, however, these sporting dogs are stoic and do not show their pain easily. A thorough orthopedic exam, radiographs (x-rays), and specialized procedures may be required to make the diagnosis in these complex cases.

Our state of-the-art surgery suite is equipped with modern anesthesia machines, heated surgery tables, and patient monitoring devices. We have invested in specialized equipment to aid in quick and successful resolutions for many orthopedic conditions.

Safety for all anesthetic and surgical patients is of primary importance to the staff at AVCG. We have instituted the highest standards of pre-operative care to ensure favorable outcomes for all patients. Along with diagnostic tests performed by your Veterinarian, we always perform specific tests to evaluate the health of your pet prior to anesthetic induction. These include:

• Digital Thoracic Chest Radiographs (X-rays)

• Pre-operative ECG with Boarded telemedicine interpretation

• Venous Blood Gases

• Coagulation Panel (cPT and cPTT)

Additionally all patients are supported intra-operatively with intravenous fluids appropriate for the pet’s condition.

Triple Tibial Osteotomy

AVCG is proud to provide plated cruciate instability repair and has chosen the TTO as the best procedure to address the dynamics of cruciate instability. Incorporating the plateau leveling of the TPLO as well as the tibial crest advancement of the TTA along with primary bone to bone healing, the TTO provides the most stable repair for cranial cruciate instability. Developed in Australia, the TTO is the newest technique for addressing this common and debilitating injury.

With triple tibial osteotomy (TTO) a small closing wedge osteotomy is performed and this simultaneously advances the tibial crest while leveling the tibial plateau. (see figures above)

TightRope CCL

The TightRope CCL technique was developed to provide a minimally invasive method for extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient canine stifle. TightRope CCL seeks to optimize the lateral suture stabilization technique by employing bone-to-bone fixation, an implant with superior strength and stiffness designed specifically for ligament repair, and a method for consistent isometric implant placement. As such, TightRope CCL can counteract cranial tibial thrust, drawer, and internal rotation while providing optimal joint range of motion.