Orthopaedic Surgery

This is any surgery that is related to bones or joints, such as fracture repairs, ligament repairs and spinal surgery. Our veterinarians’ high level of expertise and our fully-equipped surgical suite allows us to perform certain orthopaedic surgeries that your pet may require. 

A common condition that requires orthopaedic surgery is rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). This is a ligament in the knee, and in humans it is known as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). While in humans it occurs due to severe trauma, in dogs it can happen at almost any age and to any breed. This is because the angle between their femur and tibia bones is steeper than in humans, therefore receives a high stress load especially in large breed, active, or overweight dogs. 

At Knox Vet Clinic, we are able to test for CCL damage and suggest the best repair option for your dog. We have the expertise to conduct lightweight repairs but for more heavy-duty repairs that larger breed dogs require, we will refer you to a trusted hospital that can do this. 

Complicated orthopaedic cases like spinal surgery or severe complicated fractures may also need to be referred to a specialist orthopaedic surgeon. Our veterinarians will assess each case individually and provide the best advice for you and your pet.