If your companion is limping or suffering from a suspected leg or joint injury, don’t try to diagnose and treat the problem yourself. Also don’t assume that the problem will go away as some problems are best addressed within a few days, especially with younger patients. Take your pet to your family veterinarian where they provide an exam, properly diagnose the problem, and guide you to the next step. They may take X-rays to look at the bones or joints. If a fracture has been diagnosed, ask your veterinarian about a referral to the Spry Companions where our orthopedic surgeons will help create the ideal treatment plan. Fracture repair involves a series of steps aimed at restoring the alignment, stability, and function of a broken bone.
Typical Steps Involved in Fracture Repair
- Initial Assessment and Stabilization: When a fracture occurs, the first step is always to rule out other more life-threatening problems, especially if there was significant blunt trauma.
- Fracture assessment and stabilization: This may include clinical examination and imaging studies such as X-rays and/or a CT scan. Immediate stabilization of the fracture may be necessary to prevent further damage and alleviate pain. This can be achieved through splinting or casting fractures lower on the limb but may involve no splinting if higher on the limb. Some fractures may not require surgery and your surgeon will guide you with available options.
- Anesthesia and Preparation: If surgery is needed, your companion will be prepared for the procedure under anesthesia. This ensures that the patient remains still and pain-free throughout the surgery. The surgical site is prepared by cleaning and providing asepsis of the area to reduce the risk of infection.
- Surgical Intervention (if necessary): Some fractures require surgical intervention to achieve proper alignment and stability for optimal healing. Surgical options may include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or external fixation. When performing ORIF, a surgeon uses screws, plates, rods, or nails to hold the fractured bones in place while the fracture heals. External fixators are devices that connect pins placed above and below a fracture (similar to an erector set) to stabilize the fracture as it heals.
- Closure and Dressing: After stabilization and fixation, the surgical incisions are closed with sutures or staples, and a sterile dressing is applied to the wound to protect it from infection.
Postoperative Care and Follow-up
Following surgery, proper postoperative care is important for ultimate healing, which takes 6-8 weeks or more. The surgeons and staff at Spry Companions will guide you through pain management, infection prevention, and a rehabilitation plan to maximize recovery. Restricted activity and controlled exercise are often recommended during the healing period. Regular follow-up appointments are important and your surgeon will follow through until your companion has achieved the desired outcome. Diagnostic imaging is essential to monitor the progress of bone healing and assess the overall recovery. Radiographs (X-rays) may be taken during follow-up visits to evaluate the progress of healing, assess the alignment of the fracture, and identify any complications that may arise. Adjustments to the original treatment plan may be made based on surgeon follow-up. By following these steps, you and your surgeon facilitate the healing process after fracture repair, allowing your pet to regain function and mobility in the affected limb.