Orthopaedic services

Here at the Avenue Veterinary Centre we pride ourselves on being able to cope with almost any orthopaedic condition, including fractures and spinal surgery. We are equipped to a very high standard and can treat most pet (and some equine) orthopaedic surgical cases.

Richard Huddart
Partner Richard Huddart has had a keen interest in orthopaedics for many years and has served twice on the Executive Committee of the British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association. Several of the vets who have worked at our practice over the years have gone on to work and teach at veterinary educational institutions.

Equipment
Following the purchase of some ex-NHS equipment over 25 years ago (with the help of a local human medical orthopaedic surgeon) the practice has moved on to acquire a large range of new air powered tools, equipment and implants to treat most conditions. We now offer arthroscopy or keyhole joint surgery which may appropriate in some cases.

Lameness
One of the most common conditions causing lameness in dogs is disease of the cranial cruciate ligament of the knee. Over the years many methods of treatment have been advocated. These have evolved into a modern, streamlined and simple technique used commonly nowadays involving the placement of a thick nylon support suture just outside the joint.

Tplo Treatment for Cruciate Disease
Many new techniques are now available - we currently offer Tibial Plateau Levelling and the Triple Tibial Osteotomy (which combines tibial plateau levelling with tibial tuberosity advancement) alongside the more traditional procedures.

Hip Dysplasia
We also offer surgery to help prevent the deterioration of hip dysplasia in young dogs as well as treating existing cases. We can also treat most types of fracture in the dog and cat.

Orthopaedic and Spinal Emergencies
Most fractures occur as a result of trauma and we are able to manage most of these successfully. In addition, the practice is unusual in being able to manage many spinal surgical cases as this is usually the province of referral centres some distance away. We often refer cases for post-operative management to a specialist physiotherapy and hydrotherapy unit to aid recovery