Veterinary Orthopedic
Care & Surgery in San Jose, CA

A limp is one of the most common reasons dogs and cats are brought to the clinic, but the cause varies widely. Acute limping — where your pet suddenly starts holding a leg up after a fall, rough play, or seemingly normal activity — often points to a sprain, fracture, or ligament injury. Chronic or intermittent limping that comes and goes over weeks or months more commonly suggests arthritis, a slowly worsening joint problem, or a developmental condition like hip dysplasia.

During the orthopedic exam, we watch your pet walk and trot to identify which leg is affected and whether the limp worsens with weight-bearing. We then palpate the joints from the toes to the hip or shoulder, checking for swelling, heat, pain response, and abnormal range of motion. Specific tests — like cranial drawer testing for the cruciate ligament or palpating the kneecap for luxation — help narrow the diagnosis further.

Most orthopedic evaluations also include X-rays of the affected area. Imaging confirms what the exam suggests and reveals bone or joint changes that touch alone cannot detect. Based on the exam and imaging, we outline treatment options that may range from rest and medication to surgical referral, depending on what we find.

The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the primary stabilizing ligament inside a dog's knee. When it tears — whether partially or completely — the knee becomes unstable, and your dog will typically bear little or no weight on that leg. CCL injuries are common in active, medium-to-large breed dogs and can occur during normal activity, especially in dogs with some ligament weakening or conformational risk factors like a steep tibial plateau angle.

Signs include sudden lameness after activity, difficulty rising, a characteristic "step-cut" gait, and swelling around the knee. On examination, we assess for cranial drawer and tibial thrust — specific movements that indicate ligament instability. X-rays help evaluate for joint effusion, bone changes, and the presence of concurrent meniscal injury.

Treatment recommendations depend on your dog's size, activity level, the severity of the tear, and whether arthritis is already present. Options may include surgical stabilization — such as TPLO or lateral suture techniques — or medical management focused on rest, weight management, and pain control. We discuss what makes sense for your dog specifically, because not every case requires surgery and not every surgical candidate is the same.

Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap (patella) slides out of the trochlear groove at the front of the knee, typically moving toward the inner side of the leg. It is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in small and toy breed dogs, though it can occur in any breed and occasionally in cats. Some pets are born with a conformation that predisposes them — a shallow groove, a malaligned quadriceps mechanism, or a slight rotation of the lower leg bone.

Patellar luxation is graded on a scale of one to four. Grade one means the kneecap can be manually displaced but returns to its normal position on its own; your pet may occasionally skip or hop for a step or two. Grade two means the kneecap dislocates more readily and stays out until manually repositioned. Grade three and four involve a kneecap that is chronically out of place or cannot be repositioned, causing more significant lameness and knee pain.

Treatment varies with the grade. Mild cases may be managed conservatively with weight management, joint supplements, and anti-inflammatory medications when needed. More severe grades — especially those with persistent lameness or knee pain — may be candidates for surgical correction to deepen the groove, realign the tendon, or address the underlying conformational problem. We evaluate each patient carefully and recommend an approach matched to their specific grade and symptoms.

Fractures occur when more force is applied to a bone than it can absorb. In pets, common causes include falls, vehicle accidents, rough play, and — in some cases — underlying bone disease that weakens the skeleton. The severity ranges from simple, non-displaced cracks to complex fractures where the bone breaks into multiple pieces and penetrates the skin.

Signs of a fracture include sudden severe lameness, refusal to put weight on a limb, obvious deformity or swelling, and vocalization with movement. Fractures are diagnosed primarily through X-rays, which show the location, type, and severity of the break. In some cases, additional imaging or evaluation under sedation may be needed to fully assess the injury.

Initial treatment focuses on pain management and stabilization. Depending on the fracture type, options may include splinting, casting, or surgical repair with plates, screws, or pins. Some simple fractures can be managed at our clinic, while complex fractures — particularly those involving joints or multiple bone segments — may benefit from referral to a veterinary orthopedic surgeon. We evaluate each fracture individually and recommend the treatment most likely to give your pet the best functional outcome.

Osteoarthritis — also called degenerative joint disease — develops when the cartilage that cushions a joint gradually breaks down, leading to bone-on-bone contact, inflammation, and chronic pain. It is extremely common in older dogs and cats, and it is progressive, meaning it typically worsens over time without intervention. Risk factors include prior joint injury, obesity, breed-related conformation, and years of normal wear.

Dogs with arthritis often show stiffness after rest, reluctance to climb stairs or jump, difficulty rising from a lying position, and a noticeable decrease in activity. Cats may stop jumping to high surfaces, groom less, or become irritable. Diagnosis involves a physical exam, X-rays to assess joint changes, and sometimes bloodwork to ensure medications are safe to use long-term.

Management is multimodal. Weight management is one of the most impactful steps — even modest weight loss significantly reduces joint stress and pain. Anti-inflammatory medications, joint supplements, physical rehabilitation, laser therapy, and appropriate low-impact exercise all play a role. We build a tailored plan that addresses your pet's specific joints, overall health, and lifestyle, with regular rechecks to adjust treatment as the condition evolves.

Diagnostic imaging — primarily digital X-rays — is an essential part of evaluating orthopedic problems. Bones, joints, and surrounding structures are assessed through carefully positioned radiographs that reveal fractures, bone loss, joint space narrowing, bone spurs, developmental abnormalities, and evidence of prior injury. Without imaging, many orthopedic conditions cannot be accurately diagnosed or properly staged.

We typically take multiple views of the affected area — for example, side and front-to-back views of a knee — because a single image may miss important details. If your pet is very painful or unable to remain still enough for diagnostic-quality images, light sedation may be recommended to ensure the radiographs are clear and complete without causing unnecessary stress.

Because our imaging is digital, results are available on-screen immediately. We review the images with you during the same visit, explain what they show, and discuss the findings in the context of the physical exam and your pet's history. This allows us to develop a treatment plan — whether that involves rest, medication, surgical consideration, or referral — without delay.

Orthopedic surgery may be recommended when conservative management — rest, medication, and rehabilitation — is unlikely to restore comfort and function, or when the specific injury or condition has a well-established surgical solution. Common surgical considerations include cruciate ligament repair, fracture fixation, patellar luxation correction, and certain joint procedures. Not every orthopedic patient is a surgical candidate, and the decision depends on your pet's age, overall health, the specific diagnosis, and your goals for their quality of life.

Before any procedure, we perform a thorough evaluation including a physical exam, imaging, and pre-anesthetic bloodwork to confirm your pet is a safe candidate for anesthesia. We review the surgical plan with you — including expected outcomes, potential risks, estimated recovery time, and the cost — so you can make an informed decision. Questions are always encouraged, and no procedure proceeds without your understanding and consent.

During surgery, your pet is continuously monitored — oxygen levels, heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure are tracked from induction through recovery. Postoperative care includes detailed written discharge instructions, pain management, and scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor healing. For complex cases that benefit from specialist expertise, we collaborate with Dr. Hani M. Korani, DVM, DACVS-SA, a board-certified small animal surgeon.

Recovery from orthopedic surgery is a process that takes time, and your pet's activity level will be carefully restricted during the healing period. The specifics depend on the procedure performed, but in general, dogs need to be kept calm and quiet — no running, jumping, rough play, or off-leash activity — for several weeks. Cats need a confined, quiet space with limited vertical movement.

Pain management is a priority throughout recovery. Most patients go home with anti-inflammatory medications and additional pain relief, with clear instructions on timing and dosage. Appetite, energy level, incision appearance, and weight-bearing status are all things we ask you to monitor at home. Any signs of increased swelling, discharge, loss of appetite, or worsening lameness should be reported to us promptly.

Follow-up appointments are scheduled to assess healing, take X-rays if needed, and gradually increase activity as the bone or soft tissue recovers. Rehabilitation — including controlled leash walks, range-of-motion exercises, and in some cases formal physical therapy — plays an important role in restoring strength and mobility. We stay involved throughout the entire recovery period, adjusting the plan as your pet heals and making sure you have support every step of the way.