Kimberly Crest Veterinary Hospital offers a variety of orthopedic surgeries to restore function and minimize pain. Orthopedic procedures can be scheduled with our surgeon Dr. Less after a thorough examination and radiographs. 

Total Hip Replacement in Dogs

Total Hip Replacement is a state-of-the art surgical procedure used to treat a variety of disorders of the canine hip. Hip dysplasia is the most common reason THR is performed. During THR, the diseased hip joint is restored by installing prosthetic implants designed to mimic normal ball and socket joint function. 

Total hip replacement is considered the gold standard surgery for dogs with advanced hip dysplasia. It may be performed in dogs from 10 months of age onward. THR restores normal joint function with a 90 to 95% success rate. In 80% of dogs with hip dysplasia in both hips, surgery on only one side is enough to provide excellent function. 

Click here to download Kimberly Crest's "Total Hip Replacement" Brochure  

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy TPLO

The most common cause of rear limb lameness in the dog is rupture of the cranial (anterior) cruciate ligament. This leads to degenerative changes in the stifle (knee) joint including cartilage damage, osteophyte (bone spur) production, and meniscal injury. The TPLO has proven effective in returning these knees to function. 

The TPLO procedure is used mostly for large, active dogs due to the stability it provides under extreme repetitive stress. Traditional surgical techniques require prolonged confinement to allow healing of the synthetic or natural cranial cruciate ligament replacements. 

The Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy procedure levels the tibial plateau, thereby eliminating the need for the cranial cruciate ligament as a restraint against cranial tibial thrust. In other words, rather than replacing the cable which broke in the first place, this procedure will level the surface and eliminate the need for the cable. 

Click here to download Kimberly Crest's "TPLO" Brochure

Intervertebral Disk Disease in Dogs (IVDD)

Thoracolumbar Intervertebral disk disease is a common cause of rear limb weakness and paralysis in dogs. Bulging or rupture of the disk causes direct pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Treatments options include medical and surgical managment. Surgical treatment involves a two-step process. 

First the location of the ruptured disk must be identified using a specialized x-ray technique called a myelogram. A contrast agent (a type of dye) is injected into the space sorrounding the spinal cord. Deviation or displacement of the dye indicates the location of the spinal cord compression. 

Next a surgical procedure called a hemilaminectomy may be performed to treat the IVDD. The primary goal of this procedure is to relieve the pressure within the spinal cord.