Veterinary Services
Pet Orthopedic Surgeries
Discover expert orthopedic surgeries for pets in Greater Saint Louis, delivering advanced care to help your pets regain mobility and live pain-free lives.
Pet Orthopedic Surgeries in Greater Saint Louis, MO
At Integrity Animal Surgery, we understand how important it is for your pets to live healthy, active lives. When orthopedic issues arise, it’s essential to seek specialized care to restore your pet’s mobility and reduce pain. We proudly offer expert pet orthopedic surgeries in Greater Saint Louis, MO, providing advanced treatment options for various bone, joint, and ligament conditions. Our goal is to help your pets regain their quality of life through precise and compassionate surgical care.
What Are Pet Orthopedic Surgeries?
Pet orthopedic surgeries are specialized procedures that address issues with bones, joints, and ligaments. These surgeries can correct conditions such as fractures, ligament tears, and bone deformities, helping pets regain their mobility and live pain-free lives.
At Integrity Animal Surgery, our veterinary surgeon, Dr. Wes Kimberlin, brings extensive experience and skill to each procedure, ensuring the best possible care for your pet. We understand that every pet is unique, which is why we tailor our surgical approach to meet the specific needs of each patient. Whether it’s a complex joint repair or a straightforward fracture fix, our goal is to restore your pet’s quality of life.
We also focus on minimizing recovery time, allowing your pet to return to their normal activities as quickly as possible. With a commitment to both precision and compassion, Integrity Animal Surgery is dedicated to helping your pet live a healthier, happier life.
Knee (stifle) Issues
Knee (stifle) issues are among the most common orthopedic problems seen in pets, particularly in active breeds. These conditions can cause significant pain and limit your pet’s mobility, affecting their overall quality of life. At Integrity Animal Surgery, we specialize in diagnosing and treating knee-related problems, such as torn ligaments and kneecap dislocations. With our expertise, we aim to restore your pet’s comfort and movement, helping them get back to their favorite activities.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear (Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture)
The cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) is a key stabilizer in a dog’s knee (stifle) joint, similar to the ACL in humans. When this ligament ruptures, it often leads to hind limb lameness, pain, and knee arthritis—a condition known as cranial cruciate ligament disease (CrCLD). Unlike in humans, where ligament injuries are often sudden, dogs typically experience gradual degeneration of the CrCL, resulting in partial or complete tears over time.
Several factors contribute to CrCLD, including aging, obesity, genetics, and poor physical condition. Diagnosing this condition involves a combination of physical exams, X-rays, and sometimes arthroscopy.
Surgical treatment, such as Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) or Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA), is usually recommended to restore knee stability and slow the progression of arthritis. Non-surgical options like pain management, activity modification, and knee braces are available, but surgery remains the most effective solution.
Postoperative care is critical for a successful recovery. This includes rehabilitation exercises and careful weight management to support long-term joint health and minimize the risk of further complications.
For more information about cranial cruciate ligament disease visit, ACVS – Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease.
Kneecap Dislocation (Patellar Luxation)
Patellar luxation, or kneecap dislocation, is a common issue where the patella (knee cap) moves out of its normal groove on the femur. It can be medial (toward the inside) or lateral (toward the outside). This condition affects small breeds like Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas but is also seen in larger breeds such as Akitas and Great Pyrenees.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on severity. Dogs may show intermittent lameness, or suddenly lift the affected leg, extending or shaking it before regaining full use. In severe cases, the lameness becomes continuous, and leg deformities may develop, especially in young puppies with medial luxation or large breeds with lateral luxation.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis is usually made through a physical examination, revealing an unstable kneecap. Additional diagnostics may include:
- X-rays to examine bone structure and associated issues
- Computed tomography (CT scan) for detailed skeletal imaging, aiding in surgical planning
- Blood tests and urine analysis prior to anesthesia
Treatment
Non-symptomatic cases are typically monitored. For more severe cases, especially grade 2 and above, surgery may be required. Surgical options include:
- Soft tissue reconstruction to correct alignment
- Deepening the femoral groove to properly seat the kneecap
- Transposing the tibial crest to realign the patella and tendon
- Correcting femoral deformities if needed
Aftercare and Outcome
Most dogs show significant improvement after surgery, with over 90% of owners satisfied with the results. Complications like infection or implant issues are rare.
For more information about kneecap dislocation, visit ACVS – Patellar Luxations.
Hip Issues
Hip problems in dogs can significantly impact their mobility and quality of life. Common conditions include Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS), which is a surgical procedure used to improve hip dysplasia by altering the growth of the pelvis in young puppies. Another approach is Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHNE), or Femoral Head Ostectomy, a procedure that involves removing the head and neck of the femur to alleviate pain and restore function in cases of severe hip joint damage. These interventions aim to improve comfort and movement, addressing both developmental and degenerative hip issues.
JPS (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis)
Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) is a preventive surgical procedure for hip dysplasia that can be performed on puppies as young as 10 weeks old. This minimally invasive surgery closes a growth plate at the bottom of the pelvis, promoting proper development of the hip socket (acetabulum) and improving coverage of the hip ball (femoral head) over the next 4–6 months.
Puppies between 10 and 18 weeks old should be examined for signs of abnormal joint laxity during their vaccinations. JPS has been shown to effectively provide normal, pain-free hip function. Post-surgery, puppies can usually go home the same day, but should avoid strenuous exercise and manage their weight with a low-protein diet until 12 months of age.
Early diagnosis is crucial since most puppies under 18 weeks do not show symptoms of hip dysplasia. JPS aims to prevent the development of hip dysplasia by altering the pelvis’s growth to reduce joint laxity.
Click here to learn more about Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) and its benefits in managing hip dysplasia: ACVS – Canine Hip Dysplasia
Femoral Head and Neck Excision/Femoral Head Ostectomy
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) is a surgical procedure designed to alleviate pain from severe hip dysplasia by removing the ball portion of the hip joint. This procedure helps create a “false joint” with the surrounding muscles, reducing pain and improving mobility.
FHO is typically recommended for dogs that are not candidates for other surgical options or do not respond well to medical management alone. It is particularly suitable for dogs weighing less than 60–70 lbs who experience significant discomfort from hip dysplasia.
While FHO does not restore a normal hip joint, it significantly relieves pain and enhances quality of life. Post-surgery, dogs must follow a restricted exercise regimen and may require physical therapy to optimize recovery. Weight management is also crucial to minimize stress on the remaining joint structures. With proper care, many dogs experience notable improvements in comfort and function after FHO.
For more details on Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) and canine hip dysplasia, ACVS – Canine Hip Dysplasia.
Fracture Repair (Broken Bone)
Fractures in pets, such as pelvic, femoral, or tibial fractures, occur due to trauma from accidents, falls, or fights. The complexity of the fracture—ranging from incomplete, where the bone is only partially broken, to complete fractures with multiple fragments—dictates the treatment approach. Fractures can be classified further into transverse, oblique, and comminuted types, and they may be open (exposed to the environment) or closed (under the skin). Immediate immobilization of the affected limb is crucial to prevent further injury and manage pain.
Treatment involves several methods to ensure proper healing. External coaptation, such as splints or casts, offers temporary stabilization. External fixation uses pins and bars attached to the bone through the skin, ideal for resisting various forces. Internal fixation involves placing devices like plates or screws inside or on the bone to align and stabilize it. The choice of method depends on the fracture’s nature, the pet’s overall health, and environmental factors. Post-surgery, diligent aftercare is essential, including activity restriction, bandage maintenance, and possibly physical therapy to aid recovery and restore full function.
Here’s a link for more detailed information on fractured limbs: Fractured Limbs – ACVS.