Orthopaedic Surgery

Our hospital has advanced diagnostic imaging facilities such as CT and MRI scanners, digital X-rays, arthroscopy (placing a camera in the joint through keyhole incisions) and fluoroscopy (video X-rays) but often the most important factor in diagnosing conditions is the consultation and examination by our experienced surgeons.

They will then be able to discuss which investigations are most appropriate and treatment options available for the conditions.

Orthopaedic surgery primarily involves treating lame and painful animals, animals with deformities of their limbs and trauma patients with fractures and other injuries.

Here is a selection of some of the common conditions which we treat:

Forelimbs

  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Coronoid disease (fragmented coronoid process)
  • OCD (Osteochondrosis dissecans)
  • Ununited anconeal process
  • Humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF)/ Incomplete Ossification of the Humeral Condyle (IOHC)
  • Shoulder instability
  • Shoulder OCD
  • Carpal hyperextension or instability
  • Limb deformities.

Hindlimbs

  • Cruciate ligament disease
  • Patellar luxation (dislocating kneecap)
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Hip dislocation.

General

  • Fractures
  • Dislocations
  • Arthritis
  • Bone tumours.
Ortho (1)
Ortho (2)

Why choose Northwest Veterinary Specialists

Our team is led by specialists who have many years of experience in referral practice, refining our diagnostic and surgical skills, this often means we will have seen the rare and unusual cases before, but also means we can provide unrivalled care of the more routine cases.

We have full time orthopaedic surgeons meaning there is continuity of care of your pet, including checking them the day after surgery, but also means we can discuss the more challenging cases amongst ourselves giving you a second, third and fourth opinion.

The care of your pet is our number one priority. Our nursing team are all fully qualified veterinary nurses with many having advanced veterinary nursing diplomas. Our hospital has 24 hour patient care with both nurses and an intern (qualified vet at the very start of their specialist training) present overnight to provide constant care.

If your pet needs to be anaesthetised, we have one of the largest and most experienced specialist anaesthesia teams in the country and they continue to take care of your pets pain relief in the immediate postoperative period but also in the longer term through our allied pain management clinics.

We are a multidisciplinary referral centre with specialists in many different fields, meaning if we find your pet has another problem as well as its orthopaedic disease, we can get immediate input and assistance from other specialists. It is not uncommon for us to request a neurology specialist to check our orthopaedic patients but we sometimes need help from our soft tissue surgeons to treat airway problems, or abdominal or thoracic injuries after car accidents; our medicine team if your pet has kidney problems as well and our cardiologist if we find an unexpected heart murmur.

Our veterinary hospital has state of the art facilities and industry leading equipment. Our theatres are designed to minimise the chances of acquiring surgical infections meaning animals don’t need to be discharged with unnecessary antibiotics which can increase resistance. We closely monitor our results to identify any increases in the rate or severity of infections.

Testimonials

What our clients say:

Clare Cawley
Clare Cawley
2024-06-24
What a breath of fresh air compared to other referrals we have been in the past with previous dogs, made very welcome and put at ease by Amber and all the reception Team, Rory did an amazing job on removing a slipped disc for our Frenchie, Cammila was just amazing as I was struggling to cope with everything going on, all of the staff here are just so lovely and friendly and extremely helpful, we will be eternally grateful for helping our CoCo x
lesley rumney
lesley rumney
2024-06-21
Would highly recommend. Looked after my pet and me at an extremely stressful time.
harry mcneil
harry mcneil
2024-06-08
Northwest veterinary sevices Runcorn was from start to finish was a very pleasant experience, from the welcoming receptionist to my meeting with the vet, everything was explained thoroughly and dates set for future operations. 1st class operation and i have no worries because i know my dog is in very good hands.
Sam Nicol
Sam Nicol
2024-05-30
I attended a 2hr first aid for dogs course here this week. Absolutely wonderful. Such a warm welcome, the course was very professional and the staff were lovely. We had a tour of the site which was extremely impressive, certainly an awful lot of money spent on 'state of the art' facilities including MRI, Oncology, ultrasound, multiple operating theatres and treatment rooms. Too much to list. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. They even supplied drinks and a buffet! I would feel very comfortable having my pet treated here.
Mandy Willow
Mandy Willow
2024-05-15
Absolutely amazing animal.hospital such friendly staff. The hospital Is immaculate and your little or big one's are under the best Care. Just complete a first aid course which was far far superior to one I did a few years ago with a different local vets. The knowledge is fabulous and informative. Well done every single staff member we met to night from reception, the nurses, customer relations Elliott, the lady offering drinks and more all.made you feel.very welcome. Happy Veterinary nurse month you do a great job and I don't think people realise how much you all do. Thank you.
Laserme Chester
Laserme Chester
2024-05-05
5 start service, excellent everyone

Arranging a Referral or Case Advice

If you are a veterinary professional and would like to make a referral, or require pre-referral advice about a patient, please use the online forms.

Orthopaedic Service Facilities

Meet the Team

Our specialist team working in this department