Orthopaedic Surgery

Orthopaedic surgery involves the treatment of the musculoskeletal system like bones and joints. Your dog or cat may have a genetic condition, long term injury or accidental trauma that needs to be operated on.

Orthopaedic surgery at Doncaster Vet

At Doncaster Veterinary Hospital, our veterinary orthopaedic surgeons can perform a number of basic and advanced orthopaedic procedures. These procedures include:

• Cruciate ligament repair (TPLO surgery)

• Broken bone repair

• Femoral head osteotomy

• Medial luxating patella correction

• Amputations for severe injuries or bone cancer

Complicated orthopaedic cases may be referred to a veterinary specialist but each case will be thoroughly reviewed by our experienced vets to ensure you and your pet receive the very best care.

 MMP and TPLO Surgery in Melbourne

What is the cruciate ligament?

Cruciate ligaments cross over like the letter X to support certain joints in the body. In cats and dogs, the cruciate ligaments in the knee are susceptible to tearing which is painful and can make them lame. Cruciate ligament tears are some of the most common injuries in dogs and require surgical repair.

Common signs of a torn ACL in dogs

• Sudden limping or holding up of back legs

• Obvious signs of pain like whimpering

• Difficulty navigating stairs or getting in and out of bed

How our vets diagnose a torn cruciate ligament

During an appointment, the vet will have a feel of the knee to see how much movement there is. Sometimes, if it is too difficult to tell or if your dog is in too much pain, the vets will perform an examination under anaesthetic to correctly diagnose the tear. Additionally, they may also perform an x-ray.

Cruciate ligament repair for dogs

When it comes to choosing the right cruciate ligament repair surgery for your dog, there are many factors to consider. These include the size of your dog, the degree of the tear and the cost of the surgery. Your vet will be able to advise you on the best cruciate ligament repair surgery for your dog.

Here are some of the cruciate ligament repair surgeries that we offer at Doncaster Vet Hospital.

Modified Maquet Procedure For Dogs

Does your dog have a torn cruciate ligament that needs to be repaired? At Doncaster Veterinary hospital, we can perform a Modified Maquet Procedure that is suitable for most dogs with cruciate ligament disease.

TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) for dogs

TPLO surgery is another cruciate ligament repair surgery that can be performed to help your dog walk normally again. It works by altering the dynamic of the knee so it is stabilised and removes the need for the ACL ligament entirely. The vet will decide if this surgery is the best for your dog depending on the severity of the tear, the age, weight and breed of the dog and financial considerations.