Veterinary orthopedics (bones, joints & muscles)
Veterinary Orthopedics is a field of veterinary medicine involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions related to bones, joints, and muscles.
There is nothing more freeing than watching your pet run and jump with joy. Unfortunately chronic conditions of, and acute damage to, the bones, joints, and muscles is an extremely common cause for our pets experiencing a decline in the quality of life through the discomfort or immobility they lead to.
Thankfully, modern advances in veterinary medicine have provided a wide range of treatment and management options to help conserve or improve your companion's movement following accidents, illness, or age-related degeneration. Pain-reduction techniques, surgical procedures, and assistive devices are now available through your Primary Care Practice and your Veterinary Orthopedic Specialist to help improve your pet's overall quality of life.
Common orthopedic conditions in pets
Depending on a pet's species, size, age and breed, the types of orthopedic conditions developed can vary significantly. The following conditions outlined are the most common to dogs and cats, but are not an extensive list of all possible conditions that our talented veterinary teams are able to treat.
Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
Broken Bones / Injury
Ligament Tears
Hip Dysplasia
Slipped Spinal Disc or Kneecap
Limb Deformities or Loss
"Growing Pains" (Pano-Staitis)
Knowing the root cause of your pet's orthopedic problems is essential in forming the most appropriate treatment plan, for a Rehabilitation Therapist to assist with recovery efforts, and to help you and your family prevent or manage chronic conditions.
Sometimes the cause of orthopedic conditions in pets is clear (e.g. a car accident), but in other cases, multiple scans and tests may be necessary. Potential diagnostic tests may include physical exams, x-rays, a CT scan, an ultrasound, bloodwork, and/or biopsies.
Treatment for common orthopedic conditions in pets
Depending on your pet's diagnosis, their treatment options will vary significantly. Thankfully, with rapid advancements in veterinary orthopedic medicine, the quality and range of procedures, assistive devices, and pain-reduction techniques is providing pets with orthopedic conditions a much higher quality of life than ever before.
Treatment for common orthopedic conditions are available through your Thrive Pet Healthcare network Primary Care Veterinarian, such as arthritic management and basic fracture repair. Pets with more complex or advanced orthopedic conditions may be referred to an advanced orthopedic specialist or surgeon who has the knowledge and resources to provide extensive treatment.
Tendon and Fracture Repair (sometimes surgically, depending on the case)
Joint Injections to Relieve Pain and Inflammation
Use of Orthopedic Devices (e.g. braces, slings, prosthetics)
Bone Graft Surgery
Mass Removal
Joint or Total Hip Replacements
Amputations
