If you’ve been referred to our orthopedic veterinary team, we invite you to read this page to learn more about common orthopedic problems. Click on any of the problems below for more information. If you do not see your companion’s particular problem, your orthopedic surgeon will guide you through an understanding of your pet’s problem during your consultation. These are the most common orthopedic symptoms your pet may be experiencing.
Your pet’s legs require pain-free motion, stability, flexibility and strength, in order to function normally day-to-day. Like humans, cats and dogs can sustain injuries to any one of many anatomical structures within their limbs. This includes injuries to bone, cartilage, muscle/tendons, ligaments, joints, and other structure within the body. Injuries can present suddenly or develop gradually over a long period of time. If left untreated, certain injuries can lead to serious complications that drastically disrupt a pet’s quality of life. In other cases, orthopedic conditions may develop. It can sometimes be difficult to tell if your pet is experiencing pain and it can be challenging to determine which limb is problematic, but pet owner can often can tell something is wrong simply by observing the way their companion moves. There are a variety of signs to look for including:
- Lameness (limping) while walking
- Holding a limb up while standing
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle atrophy (the muscle may appear smaller)
- Decreased range of motion
- Swelling, bruising, and/or increased warmth around an affected area
- Pain or vocalization when the affected area is touched
- Audible clicks or crepitus in a limb during movement
During the initial consultation, our veterinary surgery team will thoroughly inspect your pet’s affected limb. We’ll feel the limb, test its strength, observe your pet’s gait, and ask questions about your pet’s recent behavior. Depending on our clinical insight, we may recommend specific tests and screenings including diagnostic imaging and lab work.
Once our evaluation is complete and a diagnosis has been made, we’ll explain to you in detail what we’ve determined and make our recommendations for the most appropriate course of treatment. This may involve surgery or a conservative approach including medications, rehabilitation, or regenerative medicine. Often our recommendations depend on the type, severity, and duration of the injury or condition. To learn more, like on any of the following links: