In addition to regular surgeries, we offer selected orthopedic procedures including cruciate repair and femoral head ostectomy. Dr. Hutchinson has taken advanced training with respect to these procedures and has been performing them for almost fifteen years.
The cranial cruciate ligament is one of the most important stabilizers inside the knee. Rupture of this ligament is one of the most common reasons for dogs and cats to present with hindlimb lameness, pain and subsequent arthritis. Cruciate tears can occur from trauma but are usually due to a combination of factors including ageing of the ligament, obesity, poor physical condition, conformation, and breed. After tests are performed (usually a physical examination and sedated radiographs) to confirm the diagnosis, various repair techniques will be discussed. Dr. Hutchinson performs an extracapsular repair technique. This technique is not suitable for all cases, and if needed, other techniques are available through referral to another surgeon, or by having a travelling surgeon come into our practice.
Femoral Head ostectomy (FHO) in dogs and cats is a surgical procedure that involves removing the head and neck of the femur, the large bone in the hip joint. FHO is required to fix some congenital issues, to deal with trauma to the hip joint, and aid in the management of some severe arthritis cases.
Post-operative physiotherapy and cold laser therapy are important components of the recovery process and are implemented by the staff starting just a few hours after the surgery. Home care instructions will be provided at the time of discharge to aid in your pet’s speedy recovery.