Veterinary Orthopedics

What they do

An orthopedic assessment starts with watching your pet move. The specialist observes gait at walk and trot, then performs a structured hands-on examination of each joint — checking range of motion, stability, and where discomfort localizes. Combined with your history of when lameness appears (after rest, after exercise, on certain surfaces), this narrows the problem before imaging begins.

Radiographs are the workhorse imaging tool, often taken under sedation so positioning is exact and pain-free; some cases benefit from CT for complex joints or fracture planning. The specialist interprets images alongside the physical findings, because what a joint looks like and how it functions do not always match — an important source of honest, individualised advice.

Where surgery is appropriate, orthopedic specialists perform procedures on cruciate ligaments, kneecaps, hips, elbows, and fractures, usually within referral hospitals with dedicated rehabilitation support. Just as central to the specialty is advising when surgery is not the best route — when weight management, structured activity, and rehabilitation will serve a pet better.

Recovery planning is part of the job, not an afterthought. A good orthopedic service sets out the weeks after any procedure in stages: rest, controlled exercise, recheck imaging, and rehabilitation milestones, with restrictions explained plainly so the whole household can follow them.

Services you can expect

• Gait analysis and full orthopedic examination
• Sedated radiography for precise joint positioning
• CT imaging for complex joint and fracture planning
• Cruciate ligament and kneecap surgery assessment
• Hip and elbow dysplasia evaluation and screening schemes
• Fracture assessment and repair in referral settings
• Non-surgical lameness management planning
• Post-operative recovery and rehabilitation planning

What to expect

• Your pet watched walking and trotting, often in a corridor or outdoor space, before the hands-on exam
• Sedation discussed if radiographs are needed, with fasting instructions given in advance
• Findings linked to function — what your pet can and cannot comfortably do — not just images
• Surgical and non-surgical options both presented where both are reasonable, with trade-offs stated
• A staged written recovery plan if a procedure goes ahead, including restrictions and recheck dates

How to choose

• Look for recognized surgical or orthopedic credentials and a caseload that regularly includes your pet's problem
• Ask whether rehabilitation is available or formally partnered — recovery support changes outcomes
• Choose a specialist who examines the pet moving, not one who plans from images alone
• Check what follow-up imaging and rechecks are included in the surgical pathway
• Value honest counsel when surgery is not recommended; restraint is a sign of judgment, not limitation

Questions to ask

• Do you need a referral and my pet's existing radiographs from our veterinarian?
• Will imaging need sedation, and should my pet be fasted for the visit?
• What are the surgical and non-surgical options for this problem, honestly compared?
• What does recovery look like week by week, and what restrictions apply at home?
• How is rehabilitation arranged, and who supervises it?
• Which rechecks and follow-up images are part of the plan?

Red flags

• Surgery recommended before a gait and joint examination has been performed
• No non-surgical option discussed for a condition where management is a recognized path
• Recovery restrictions left vague or unwritten after a procedure
• No rehabilitation plan or follow-up imaging scheduled
• Guarantees that a pet will return to full athletic function

What affects the price

• Imaging required, including sedation and possible CT
• Type and complexity of surgery, including implants
• Anesthesia and referral hospital stay
• Number of follow-up radiographs and rechecks
• Length and intensity of rehabilitation support
• Whether one joint or multiple joints are involved