Medical Services - Small Animal - Orthopedic
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The University of Illinois Orthopedic Surgical Service has been created to serve a variety of needs. First and foremost is our commitment to improving the quality of life and functional capacity of companion animals with all degrees of orthopedic disease. In addition to this important goal, we are dedicated to advancing and offering the state-of-the-art surgical procedures and medical management of these diseases. Investigating the effects of surgical procedures and medical treatments in animals with orthopedic disease plays a key role in supporting efforts of the companion animal community. Therefore, the global mission of our Orthopedic Surgical service encompasses three functions: service, education and research.
The U of I Orthopedic Surgery Service provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities for companion animals with orthopedic disease from all over the Midwest. The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital provide the most up-to-date diagnostic facilities, including:
- Diagnostic Imaging - radiology, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and nuclear scans
- Endoscopy - arthroscopy
- Pathology - light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy.
- Clinical Pathology - blood chemistry, hematology, and cytologic diagnosis.
We offer advanced surgical and medical treatment for the management of orthopedic and neurological diseases. Our services include but are not limited to treatment of:
- Canine Hip Dysplasia: we offer juvenile pubic symphysiodesis, Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, Total Hip Replacements, and Femoral Head Ostectom.
- Other diseases of the hip: we offer treatment for traumatic hip luxations, fractures and congenital diseases.
- Degenerative Joint Disease - we offer several different treatments, surgeries and arthroscopic exploration for DJD depending on the joint and progression.
- Diseases of the Elbow and shoulder: We offer advanced imaging and arthroscopic techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of the common diseases of the elbow shoulder.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans-OCD: OCD is a flap of cartilage which has detached from the supporting bone and is loose in the joint. OCD is a common condition of the shoulder, elbow, stifle and hock of immature, large dogs and in many cases is found in the same joint on both legs. Surgical removal of the flap from the shoulder usually results in improved limb function. Surgical removal of the flap from the elbow, stifle, and hock may be helpful if the dog is treated before extensive degenerative joint disease (arthritis) develops. In some cases, surgery will help a dog who is lame and already has arthritis. However, surgical treatment does not appear to alter the progression of arthritis and medical therapy is often necessary after surgery. We offer non-invasive arthroscopic evaluation of the joint and fragment removal.
- Angular limb deformities: Angular limb deformities are a category of problems or changes involving the long bones of the skeleton that results in abnormal growth and joint function. Surgical treatments such as corrective osteotomies/ostectomies and bone lengthening procedures are available to correct many of these problems.
- Cranial Cruciate Rupture – Cranial Cruciate rupture is a common knee injury in dogs and humans. The cruciate ligament is responsible for preventing forward motion of the bones of the knee. Although in people surgery is not always recommended, the conservative treatments used for people have not been successful in dogs. Therefore, surgical correction is the preferred treatment. Many different surgical procedures are available to treat cranial cruciate rupture. Our surgical team offers both extra capsular (outside the joint) repairs and the newer Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. Both procedures are performed to stabilize the stifle joint and return your pet to a more normal functional status.
- Patella Luxation: Patella luxation is commonly called a dislocation of the kneecap. Surgical procedures are available to reconstruct the stifle joint to allow the patella and knee to move normally. The surgeon evaluates the joint to determine what procedures must be performed to realign to patella. These may include deepening the groove that the patella rides in, realigning the muscle and ligament by moving a small piece of bone and fastening it in place with metal implants, and suturing the joint capsule to support the patella in a normal position.
- Traumatic injuries and fractures: We offer surgical treatment and fixation for all types of traumatic orthopedic and neurologic injuries. Our medical staff is equipped to stabilize your pet overall after the trauma and our skilled orthopedic surgical team utilizes our state of the art equipment to treat and repair most types of injuries. Surgical technology includes fixation with metal implants as well as external fixation and bone plate technology.
- Intervertebral Disc Disease and routine neurologic conditions: Our surgical team is well equipped to diagnose (technology for myelogram, CT, and MRI) and recommended surgical and non-surgical treatment for common neurologic conditions such as IVDD and spinal fractures.
- Arthroscopic Joint Exploration - Our service is now offering this state-of-the-art less invasive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the shoulder, elbow, knee and ankle (tarsus). These treatments include treatment of meniscal damage/injury.
The U of I Orthopedic Surgical Service is available for referrals from other veterinarians and specialists year round. We also serve as an information source for pet owners who wish to know more about potential treatment options and prognosis when they receive a diagnosis of orthopedic or neurological disease in their pet. Companion animals come in all shapes and sizes, and we offer advice and treatment for animals ranging from cats to toy dogs to giant breed dogs.
Orthopedic Education
A prime mission of the U of I Orthopedic surgical Service is to educate veterinary students, interns, residents, and postdoctoral fellows, through classroom and clinical experiences, about the role of orthopedic disease in modern life and potential treatment options available. We provide continuing education for referring veterinarians through outreach lectures to update practitioners on current surgical procedures and medical management orthopedic and neurological diseases. Finally, we educate the general public through our work as advocates for the surgical repair of orthopedic and neurological diseases in companion animals. These contacts come in the form of visits to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, consultation telephone calls, and general education lectures.
Orthopedic Disease Research
The U of I Orthopedic Surgical Service provides a wide variety of programs in basic and clinical orthopedic and neurological research. Our main focus is on clinical research in animals. The mission of our clinical research program is to investigate better therapies for the treatment of animals with orthopedic and neurological disease. We share your concern about quality of life for your pet. Our clinical research is directed toward finding the best treatment with the least side effects in the rest of the body.
The Future
Veterinary Medicine is a field of continued learning. We are constantly equipping and staffing our research laboratories, upgrading our treatment facilities and services, and recruiting new personnel. With continued effort, dedication, and funding, we can continue this important work for the betterment of companion animal health today. More importantly, we will continue to pursue important research endeavors that will ultimately be of benefit to companion