Diagnosis
An examination will have been performed based on the symptoms you have described for your pet. These may be as a result of osteoarthritis, chronic instability of a joint, an existing fracture or the presence of infection.
Radiographs (x-rays) are taken to support a diagnosis and sent to our specialist surgeons for review. The radiographs along with your pets clinical history provide us with the information we need prior to a consultation with one of our surgeons. This appointment will allow our surgeon to examine your pet further, have an in depth discussion and offer their final recommendations for treatment.
Surgery
Arthrodesis can be performed on the shoulder, elbow, wrist (carpus) (either partial or total), knee (stifle) and hock (again either partial or total). The most common areas to arthrodese are the carpus and hock.
It can be a difficult decision to make, but sometimes surgery is the only course of action to provide appropriate support to the affected joint and to improve the quality of life for your pet by relieving their pain. Our surgeons will talk with you in detail about the procedure, what to expect and any potential complications but please do also refer to our procedure sheet.
Most pets can be discharged on the same day of surgery. Our team will ensure that appropriate medication is dispensed so that your pet is comfortable at home and that you are fully informed on the recovery process and follow-up appointments to aid in a successful recovery.
