Contact
New Bolton Center Kennett Square, PA
Emergencies & Appointments:
610-444-5800
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Ryan Hospital Philadelphia, PA
Emergencies:
215-746-8911
Appointments:
215-746-8387
Directions
People performing an operation on an animal

Orthopedic Surgery


The Orthopedic Surgery Service at Ryan Hospital provides advanced treatment for various orthopedic conditions, utilizing cutting-edge surgical techniques such as arthroscopy and total hip replacement. Collaborating closely with the Emergency Service, we address trauma cases and employ the latest fracture repair systems, including plates, external skeletal fixation, and interlocking nails.

The orthopedic surgery service prioritizes high-quality, compassionate care, fosters collaborative learning, and supports research. Appointments don't require a referral, but sharing previous diagnostic results is encouraged. We collaborate with clients and veterinarians, emphasizing patient care and providing a learning environment. In some cases we perform minimally invasive procedures including arthroscopy and fracture repair.

For emergency cases like fractures or paralysis, contact our Emergency Service promptly.


Meet the Surgery Team

Our orthopedic surgery team consists of four board-certified faculty/clinicians, seven resident veterinarians, intern veterinarians, and senior students completing their VMD at the Ryan Teaching Hospital.  Our veterinary nurses and support staff are experienced in perioperative management, radiology, sedation and anesthesia, and rehabilitation.

General Information

  • The Orthopedic Surgery service receives cases from clinic appointments on Tuesday and Thursday.
  • Cases are seen through the clinic in the morning, and diagnostic tests are performed that day. If surgery is recommended, the procedure will be discussed. Surgery can generally be scheduled within 1-2 weeks of the initial appointment day.
  • Depending on your pet’s condition, necessary diagnostics and discussions, your appointment duration may vary. Generally, you should plan for 2-4 hours total appointment time.
  • Drop-off for surgical procedures can occur the morning of surgery between 7-7:30 a.m. or the afternoon prior to surgery at no additional charge. Some cases require drop-off the day prior to surgery.  This will be discussed with you at the time of scheduling.
  • For appointments and procedures, please ensure your pet does not eat within 8 hours of their scheduled appointment unless otherwise directed by the veterinary team. Water can remain available until your scheduled appointment time.
  • The Orthopedic Surgery service also receives cases transferred from the Neurology, Emergency, and Medicine services. All surgeries are performed based on medical priority/triage.
  • Emergency surgery is available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
PLEASE NOTE: Any pets with fractures or paralysis should not wait for referral and should be brought to the Emergency Service as soon as possible.


What to Expect at Your Appointment

We understand that a pet’s diagnosis that includes a surgical procedure can be stressful.  We are here to help explain your pet’s particular case and what would be involved in an optimal treatment approach. That way, you can make the best decisions for your pet and your family.

The Orthopedic Examination

One of the most challenging aspects of orthopedic medicine can be determining what specific joint, bone, muscle, or tendon is causing an animal to limp (or have other gait changes). After completing a thorough history and general physical exam, the veterinary student assigned to your pet will take them to have an orthopedic examination performed with the team.

A thorough orthopedic examination includes a gait analysis, standing examination, and recumbent examination. Through this, the team will evaluate every joint and bone for notable pain, instability, effusion, swelling, or other abnormality that may indicate a disease process is occurring. We use this to recommend further diagnostics (such as X-rays or CT scan) to evaluate the specific area affected.

Procedures

The orthopedics team at PennVet performs a wide range of routine orthopedic surgeries, as well as more advanced techniques. Congenital or developmental conditions frequently seen include cranial cruciate ligament tear, patella luxation, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and juvenile diseases including OCD lesions (joint mice). We routinely address soft tissue/ligamentous injuries, traumatic injuries and fractures, and angular limb deformities, providing cutting-edge techniques to maximize surgical success.

PennVet performs a wide variety of fracture fixation techniques, total hip replacements, arthroscopic procedures, and minimally invasive procedures. We work closely with the Rehabilitation Service at PennVet to optimize post-operative recovery.

Research

The orthopedic surgery team at PennVet is actively engaged in research to advance the field. Our faculty surgeons lead clinical and benchtop studies with the goal of improving patient quality of life and advancing orthopedic surgery science. If your pet qualifies for ongoing clinical trials during your appointment, we may discuss participation, emphasizing that it is voluntary and that the current standard-of-care treatment will be the primary focus. For more information on ongoing clinical trials in Orthopedic Surgery Service and other PennVet services, please visit the VCIC website.