Orthopedic Surgery Today

Whether he’s a puppy or an adult, playful or a lazybones, your dog needs good rest. Especially as your dog grows older and becomes more vulnerable to issues with his joints and bones, where and how he rests becomes increasingly important. In addition to that, a dog who was once able leap in and out of his bed can start become stressed and irrational if, due to health problems, he has lost some mobility. While there are several ways to deal with this issue, an orthopedic bed can take care of them and provide other benefits besides.

An orthopedic bed is simply one that has been made with some sort of “memory” material, that is, a soft cushioning substance that will cradle the joints and bones. The advantage is that as the weight of the dog’s body sinks into the cushion, it is kept still. On a firmer, less elastic surface, the dog merely rests on top of the bed and his legs and body are more prone to moving and, if the dog has had some healthy issues, prone to re-injury. Conversely, an orthopedic dog bed will hold hurting body parts still and provide a more stable environment for the dog to heal.

An orthopedic bed is not for all dogs. When you purchase a puppy, for instance, you will want to spend some time looking at his sleep and play habits before trying to find out what bed will suit him the best. Find out what spots comfort him. Does he prefer an enclosed space or an open top? Orthopedic beds are actually more suitable for older dogs and are especially ideal for dogs that suffer from issues with their legs and hips, and for dogs that have developed arthritis. The benefits of the orthopedic bed in making these dogs comfortable and more able to rest, so they can restore some of their precious energy.

When the time comes to purchase an orthopedic bed for your beloved pet, there are a number of things to keep in mind. One is to determine the sturdiness of the bed. If your dog is larger (and remember that larger dogs are extremely prone to the early onset of bone and joint problems) you will want to test the bed for a sturdy base and frame. Make sure that the pad itself is made out of a strong material, because your dog will probably end up being quite hard on it.

A pet store is where you want to begin your search for a good orthopedic dog bed. Your local vet might be able to give you an idea who sells the best ones, have a recommendation, or even sell them herself! If you do not mind shopping for something sight-unseen, you will be able to find plenty of options online. There are many sizes and styles, just keep in mind that your dog will most likely be comfortable in a larger bed than a smaller one.

To keep your canine companion in top shape and to make him as comfortable as possible, watch him and keep in mind that if he seem uncomfortable and unable to sleep, there is definitely something you can do about it!

Bragada mattress is the leading manufacturer of viscoelastic mattresses. They are the only mattress manufacturers to get the Orthopaedic Research Institute’s Seal of Approval. They manufacture a wide variety of mattresses and you can buy them online.

The mattress provides the best comfort to the spine and protects the nervous system. The spine should be rested while sleeping so that the body functions properly. A good bed is required for good spine support and to avoid pressure on the nerves. The bed, which you buy, should be able to assist and provide a good night’s sleep. Bragada mattresses are designed in such a way that the mattresses aid sleep well and relieve stiffness.

The Bragada mattresses are one of the best in the world today according to many. The materials utilized in manufacturing Bragada mattresses are of the best quality. The mattresses provide ultimate comfort and temperature control while you sleep. There are no middlemen and you can buy the mattresses direct from the factory. You can save a lot of money and have the best comfort. It is truly a value for money product and there are thousands of satisfied customers in the nation. You get a warranty for your mattresses and you can also get free home delivery nationwide.

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Orthopedics is the field of medicine that deals with injuries or deformities affecting bones, ligaments, and muscles. It is a field that specializes in the skeletal system of the human body. Pillows that are used as corrective or preventive aids for diseases pertaining to the neck or spinal chord are called orthopedic pillows.

Pillows used for orthopedic treatment are designed in such a fashion that they give support to both, the neck and the back. Temperature sensitive foam pillows mold to the body by interacting with body heat. Visco-elastic memory foam was developed by NASA for astronauts traveling in space shuttles to relieve neck stress caused by G-force during take off.

Orthopedic pillows are mostly made out of foam or fiber. Foam pillows are used with the objective of achieving cervical support especially when the person is sleeping on his back. Fiber pillows are beneficial for people who sleep on their sides. Fiber pillows are similar to traditional pillows in looks. People sleeping both ways can ideally use tri core pillows that are versatile.

Rippled pillows are used for allowing air to circulate around the neck and for a soothing effect. Two lobed pillows provide support to the neck and allow the neck to relax.

Foam pillows that have resilient features customize themselves to the size of the head. This is of great therapeutic value. Foam pillows have a soft cover that is removable. Memory foam is of a harder type and it provides better support to the neck. Such pillows reduce stress and pressure caused to the neck by ordinary pillows. It is however necessary to consult an orthopedic specialist before purchasing an orthopedic pillow. Pillows have to be carefully selected by people suffering from cervical or spinal diseases. It is not possible to get an orthopedic pillow exchanged due to hygiene reasons.

Dogs and cats get orthopedic injuries just like we do. In fact, it may surprise you to find out that almost any surgery that can be performed in human medicine has a corresponding animal procedure for your pet. Veterinary medicine has changed–and improved–drastically over the years as the human-animal bond has increased.

Working with veterinary surgical specialists over the last several years has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that exist. Not to mention the fact that I have had to take advantage of some of these “possibilities” for not only personal pets, but also for rescue animals in my care.

So, what kinds of injuries require specialty orthopedic surgery?

Broken bones, of course, come instantly to mind. But, does your pet need to be seen by a surgical specialist, or can your primary veterinarian repair the fracture? Well, this depends not only on the complexity of the fracture and the procedure to repair it, but also on the skill and experience of your veterinarian. I have seen cases where the pet had to undergo additional surgery by a specialist after a first attempt by a primary care physician. Think of it this way: if you had been hit by a car and required major surgery, would you go to your GP, or would you want to be operated on by a surgeon?

Joint injuries are also very common, especially in large, athletic breeds, and in overweight dogs. We routinely operate to correct torn cruciate ligaments and luxating patellas. These procedures are usually fairly costly, and the last thing you want to do is try to save a few dollars by having an inexperienced doctor perform these procedures. I have seen hip surgeries go so badly that there is no longer anything for a specialist to work with. There is nothing as difficult as telling a client that you could have helped their pet — if you had been able to operate first, or sooner.

Recovery and rehabilitation are difficult for many pets, and for their owners! It takes a long time for bones to heal properly. So, if you pet needs orthopedic surgery, you are looking at approximately 12 to 16 weeks — yes, that’s 3 or 4 months! — before “Roscoe” will be able to go back to normal, off leash activity. I’m not sure who this is more difficult on, the patient, or the owner. But, the worst thing you can do is assume that because “Roscoe” doesn’t seem to be in any pain, you can relax on the exercise restrictions. You don’t want “Roscoe” to end up back in the operating room, or worse, end up not being able to be restored to normal activity at all.

Not only have I seen pets have to come back for second, third, even fourth surgeries, I have also seen dogs that had to be put down because their prognosis for recovery was so poor when exercise restrictions were not followed. When the surgeon says 2 weeks in a crate, and an additional 8 weeks of on-leash walking only, she means it!

The use of orthotic devices is an option for pet owners when surgery is risky or to help in your pet’s recovery process. Custom braces can support the operated limb and allow proper healing to take place. They can also help correct the limb’s function without surgery. Your surgeon will be able to let you know whether this is an option for your pet.

Baby Girl is a beautiful Australian Shepherd at Mill Creek Animal Rescue. She came to us when she was about six months old with a horrible limp. I took her to an orthopedic surgeon. X-rays showed that she had suffered a fracture of her front left leg at some point in the past. Unfortunately, this was never treated, and there was a mal-union of the radius/ulna. Her ulna had tried to grow, but was growing out, rather than in length, while the radius continued to grow normally. This resulted in her paw being pushed sideways at a terrible angle. The doctor felt that although she had probably attained 65% of her full size, that surgery would benefit her and provide improved quality of life.

Baby Girl underwent surgery in early January. A 1 centimeter segment of the ulna was removed, and then the bone stabilized by divergent pins. The x-rays looked promising, and her foot appeared much straighter than it had pre-surgery. Now, Baby Girl thought she was better immediately. She wanted to romp and play the day after surgery. But, having seen post-surgery disasters, I followed the aftercare instructions to the letter. Two weeks post surgery, the splint came off. Baby Girl was walking much more normally, but still remained crated except for 3 or 4 daily leash walks.

Last month, Baby Girl returned for x-rays to determine whether or not the bone had healed. The x-rays revealed: SUCCESS! Although a pin had migrated and had to be removed, Baby Girl was released back to full, unrestricted activity — much to her joy and mine!

In closing, orthopedic surgery can greatly improve your dog’s quality of life. If your dog requires surgery, first find a good orthopedic surgeon. If your primary care veterinarian doesn’t have a recommendation for you, visit the ACVS (American College of Veterinary Surgeons) website for the name of a specialist near you. And, whatever you do, follow the aftercare instructions. It may be difficult on both of you, but in the long run, you’ll be glad you did!