Nursing Orthopaedic Patients

The is a band of tough tissue which sits in the centre of the stifle joint. It stops the from moving forwards relative to the when the animal is walking.

In dogs, unlike humans where trauma is often involved, it is more common that they undergo a process where the ligament gradually stretches or tears for a period of time before it completely. 

Common surgical options as methods of stabilisation are , and .

The are two cartilages that act as shock absorbers and are found within the stifle joint. There is one and one to the joint. 

Dogs suffering with tend to present between four and ten months of age. Owners often describe stiffness upon rising, exercise intolerance or lameness which tends to get worse following exercise. A “bunny-hopping” gait is often described when the dog runs.

Medical management of patients with hip dysplasia/osteoarthritis will include a strict plan which will be tailored to such that the inflammation and in the joint will be reduced but that muscling of the hind limbs will not be lost. It will also include some form of therapy and also, if necessary, additional pain relief medication.  will help to reduce and increase .  This can often have huge benefits for the patient in their quality of life on a daily basis. 

A surgical procedure called a creates a joint that no longer functions as a “ball and socket” joint but instead forms a new joint over time where the flat surface of the articulates with the flat surface of the or “socket” which develops as the fills in with scar tissue and eventually bone. Again, this procedure may be performed on one or both sides as necessary.  

The term “Elbow Dysplasia” means abnormal development of the elbow joint. It is normally used to describe the development of one of the three major types of dysplasia: