Restoring Pain-Free Mobility & Joint Health
Orthopedic surgery addresses conditions affecting your pet's bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Joint injuries, developmental deformities, and traumatic bone fractures can severely limit your pet's mobility and cause chronic pain. At Angel City Animal Hospital, our skilled surgical team performs advanced orthopedic procedures to restore stability, eliminate pain, and help your dog or cat return to a happy, active lifestyle.
We specialize in correcting common joint issues, such as cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears—the canine equivalent of an ACL tear—using advanced techniques like Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). Our comprehensive surgical approach includes detailed pre-operative digital imaging, precise sterile technique, custom pain management, and structured post-operative rehabilitation support to ensure the best possible recovery outcome.
Common Orthopedic Procedures We Perform
We provide specialized bone and joint care utilizing state-of-the-art surgical implants, plating systems, and advanced methodologies:
🦴 TPLO Surgery
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, the gold-standard surgical repair for torn cranial cruciate ligaments (CCL) in active or larger dogs.
🦴 Fracture Repair
Advanced bone plating, pins, wires, or external fixators to stabilize and repair simple or complex traumatic bone fractures.
🦴 Patellar Luxation
Surgical stabilization of slipping kneecaps (luxating patellas) via groove deepening (trochleoplasty) and tibial tuberosity transposition.
🩺 Digital Diagnostics
High-definition orthopedic digital X-rays to obtain exact skeletal measurements, evaluate joint health, and plan surgeries.
💊 Pain Management
Tailored nerve blocks, epidurals, and post-operative pain-relief protocols to keep your pet comfortable through healing.
🐾 Post-Op Rehab Guides
Custom rehabilitation recovery instructions, passive range-of-motion plans, and exercise restrictions to maximize mobility recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orthopedic Surgery
Learn more about how we diagnose, treat, and support pets undergoing bone or joint procedures.
What is TPLO surgery and why is it recommended?
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is a surgical repair for a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs. It changes the angle of the shinbone (tibia) to prevent it from sliding forward, eliminating the need for the ligament itself. It is highly recommended for larger, active, or young dogs as it offers faster healing and a lower risk of arthritis.
How long is the recovery period after orthopedic surgery?
Most orthopedic recoveries require 8 to 12 weeks. Bone healing typically takes 6 to 8 weeks, during which strict activity restriction is required. Post-operative X-rays are usually taken at 8 weeks to confirm the bone has healed sufficiently before resuming normal activity.
What restrictions must be placed on my pet post-surgery?
Your pet must be restricted to a small room, crate, or pen with non-slip flooring. Absolutely no running, jumping, playing, or climbing stairs is allowed. Going outside must be restricted to short, slow, leash-guided walks solely for elimination purposes.
How do I know if my pet has a luxating patella or joint injury?
Common signs of orthopedic issues include limping, holding a leg up, stiffness when rising, reluctance to climb stairs or jump onto furniture, swelling in a joint, and a distinct skipping gait where a dog holds a hind leg up for a few steps before using it normally again.
What support do you offer during the post-operative recovery phase?
We provide detailed discharge summaries, prescribed pain management medications, custom exercise instructions, and phone/email support. We also schedule regular follow-up visits, suture removals, and recheck radiographs to monitor healing progress.
Concerned About Your Pet's Mobility?
Schedule an orthopedic consultation today to restore your pet's active lifestyle. Contact Angel City Animal Hospital at (323) 522-3134.