1624 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL 61614
When Mobility Problems Need a Surgical Solution
Watching a pet struggle to get up, favor a leg, or hesitate at the stairs is hard, especially when it happens seemingly overnight. Orthopedic problems can show up that way, suddenly after an injury, or gradually, as a degenerative joint condition worsens over time. Either way, mobility issues affect far more than just movement. They touch your pet's comfort, energy, and overall quality of life.
Our Meadowbrook Veterinary Clinic surgeons in South Peoria are experienced in diagnosing orthopedic conditions accurately and recommending the surgical approach that actually fits your pet, not just their diagnosis, but their age, size, breed, and activity level too. The goal is always the same: getting your pet back to comfortable, confident movement as safely and quickly as possible.
Orthopedic Procedures We Offer
Our surgical team currently performs several orthopedic procedures, including:
- Fracture repair: Stabilizing broken bones with plates, pins, screws, or wires to restore proper alignment. This is often an urgent procedure, typically needed after trauma like a fall or being hit by a car.
- Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO): A procedure that adjusts the angle of the tibia to stabilize the knee following a torn cranial cruciate ligament. TPLO tends to be the most reliable long-term option for larger, more active dogs who need to get back to full function.
- Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHNO/FHO): Removing the head and neck of the femur to relieve pain from hip dysplasia, arthritis, or traumatic injury. Over time, the body builds a false joint supported by the surrounding muscle, and many pets regain comfortable, functional movement.
- Amputation: Removing a severely injured, diseased, or non-functional limb when it can't be saved or is causing ongoing pain. It sounds drastic, but most pets adapt remarkably fast and go on to live full, active lives afterward.
Before and After Surgery
Every case starts with a careful evaluation, not a rushed decision. Our team performs a detailed physical exam and, when needed, recommends diagnostic imaging like digital X-rays to get a clear look at the affected bone or joint. From there, we'll walk you through the diagnosis, explain the recommended procedure, and answer whatever questions come up, so you're not making a decision about your pet's surgery blind.
Recovery afterward takes patience. Depending on the procedure, it typically involves some combination of activity restriction, pain management, follow-up visits, and gradual rehabilitation. We'll send you home with clear, specific care instructions and stay involved throughout your pet's recovery, checking in on their progress and adjusting the plan if needed. You're not on your own once you leave the clinic.
Signs Your Pet May Need an Orthopedic Evaluation
Some orthopedic issues build slowly. Others happen in an instant. Either way, these are worth getting checked out:
- Sudden lameness or refusing to put weight on a limb
- Visible swelling, deformity, or pain following a fall or accident
- Chronic limping or stiffness, especially after resting or exercising
- Trouble rising, jumping, or navigating stairs
- A limb that looks or moves noticeably abnormal
If any of these sound familiar, it's worth having your pet evaluated rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own.
Schedule an Orthopedic Consultation
Whether your pet is showing early signs of a joint or bone problem, or has already been referred for a procedure like TPLO or FHO, our surgical team is ready to talk through the options and build a plan that fits your pet. Call Meadowbrook Veterinary Clinic, South Peoria today to schedule an orthopedic consultation and learn how we can help your pet move more comfortably and confidently.
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