Orthopaedics Case Studies from West Midlands Veterinary Referrals

A four week old puppy, that was intended to grow up as a “ratter” on a farm, presented with a dislocated left elbow. In fact, strictly speaking, this elbow wasn’t “dislocated” as it had never in fact been “located” in the first place! The owners were counselled that there was little chance that this elbow could ever be returned to a functional joint.

A young collie presented to us with severe deformities of both hind limbs. Both tibias (shin bones) were massively twisted so that her hocks (equivalent to our ankles) and her stifles (equivalent to our knees) worked at right angles to each other instead of working in parallel alignment as they should do.

Achilles tendon problems are referred to us relatively frequently. The Achilles tendon functions, along with the muscles that contribute to it, to extend the ankle. This keeps the “heel” off the ground and allows the dog or cat to walk on tip-toe as normal.

We see a number of cases of chronic degenerative joint disease (DJD) where surgical treatment like joint replacement or salvage surgery is not an option.

There are two long bones in the lower part of the forelimb below the elbow, the radius and the ulna. The distal (lower) ends of the radius and ulna make up part of the carpus (wrist) joint. At their proximal (top) ends, they meet the humerus forming the elbow joint.

Fusion of the carpal joints is often indicated when there is irrevocable traumatic damage to the joint often involving ligament damage.

The use of locking plates has exploded within the orthopaedic community in the UK  in recent years. They have revolutionised the way some injuries are treated. Fusing (“arthrodesing”) shoulder joints used to be a difficult procedure, not because the dogs found a fused shoulder hard to use, but because bending a conventional bone plate to fit the contours of the shoulder was a challenge and a half.

Hip dysplasia is common. It frequently becomes apparent from 6 months or so of age and can lead to serious pain when the hip is extended.

We are regularly doing total hip replacement surgery at Burton on Trent, and at very competitive prices. Most owners are seeking this surgery for the long term management of joints of larger breed dogs affected by hip dysplasia. Andy Whittingham leads this elective procedure, and he has experience of well over 200 cases.

The patella (knee cap) can sometimes luxate (dislocate) from the groove in which it should run. This groove is found on the front of the bottom of the femur (thigh bone), and forms part of the stifle (knee) joint.