Orthopaedics

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.

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in the stifle (knee) joint is a very common problem in dogs.

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is one of the commonest problems that is referred to us. Rupture of this ligament can be partial or complete and the cartilages in the knee can be damaged because of the instability that results.

The anconeal process is found in the elbow. It is a “keel” of bone on the ulna (one of the bones of the forearm) which slots into the back of the humerus (the bone of the upper arm) and which gives stability to the elbow when that joint is in extension.

Patella luxation is a common problem in dogs. The patella (kneecap) luxates (dislocates) from the trochlea (the groove) in which it is supposed to run on the bottom end of the femur (thigh bone).

The articular cartilage over part of the humerus that forms part of the shoulder joint can under-run and fragment during development. Signs usually start around 6-7 months of age.

Stem cell therapy is a new treatment for the degenerative joint disease (DJD), and we have started our first cases in July 2014.

Bone, tendons and ligaments respond to stress and pressure by reinforcing and remodelling. They can be tricked into doing this repair and remodeling with the application of ultrasound.

To the best of our knowledge here at West Midlands Referrals, Yoda is only the second cat ever to have a Ridgestop placed. This technique is a new addition to the techniques used to manage patella (kneecap) luxation (dislocation). The patella should normally track up and down in a groove. Luxation occurs when it slips out of that groove.

Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) is most frequently see in Spaniels.

Sky, an active young lurcher, luxated (dislocated) her right shoulder.

Hips can dislocate (luxate) because of trauma, or sometimes because of underlying pathology (hip dysplasia).

Harvey, a gentle, elderly crossbred male, who had serious elbow degenerative joint disease (DJD) – “osteoarthritis” was bought to us at West Midlands Referrals in Burton-Upon-Trent.

A Spinone Louis was unlucky enough to get an osteosarcoma aggressive bone tumour in a hind limb in 2012. He had a hind limb amputation with us, and his likely survival time with this and chemotherapy was about a year. There is an information sheet on osteosarcoma on our West Midlands Referrals website under the section for owners (and the one for vets), in the subsection of “fact sheets”.

Jagger was a 3 year old, 65kg, gentle giant of a Mastiff. When his cruciate ligament ruptured in his left stifle (knee) joint, he needed surgery which was done at West Midlands Referrals.

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is one of the commonest problems that is referred to us. The rupture of this ligament can be partial or complete and the cartilage in the knee can be damaged because of the instability that results.

Poppy, a 6-month-old Labrador puppy, sustained a fractured radius and ulna, bones in the forelimb. These were already healing by the time we saw her. As well as healing to themselves, they also unfortunately healed to each other as well. So the two bones were now linked in a “synostosis”.

Flexor tendon contraction in pups is reasonably common and can be pretty upsetting for owners as the pups look “crippled”.

Bailey is an 8-year-old Labrador. He has had chronic right elbow degenerative joint disease and lameness, but a left elbow lameness was recently evident. A mobile blob of cartilage and bone was visible on x-ray and palpable in the joint when he was under GA.

Total hip replacements are going from strength to strength at West Midlands Referrals. We use a cementless system (Kyon and Biometrix). Doing plenty and getting a slick system and team in place is the key to minimising complications with this procedure. We are doing one a week. THRs take a lot of preparation – infection prevention is critical for success – but the results can be really satisfying.