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Animal Orthopedics Paper
By: Rachel Counts
AGRON 300
11/1/11
Animal
Orthopedics is a fairly new field that often mirrors the progress made in human
orthopedics. It began in small animals, and has progressed to include animals
all across the board including (but not limited to): llamas, horses, imus,
kangaroos, and more.
There
are many different types of orthopedic therapy, all meant to treat symptoms
from the ill-effects of such diseases as osteoarthritis, sudden trauma,
neurological disorders and more. There are many reasons as to why an animal
would lose range of motion in a limb. Surgery, braces or prosthetics help
animals regain use of their limbs.
Surgery
is the most drastic type of orthopedics for animals, but is the most common.
There are three main types of surgeries; elbow replacements, stifle
replacements and hip replacements. These surgeries are normally required to
replace a joint due to arthritis. The cartilage between joints wears down, and
makes movement painful for an animal.
Elbow
replacements involve creating a new joint, and supporting the bone with multiple
screws. This eases the movement of that
joint and prevents the rubbing of the two bones. Mobility is renewed in the
animal through this surgery.
A
stifle replacement is much like an elbow replacement, but if for the knee in
the back leg. The surgery also differs slightly. Much like the elbow
replacement, the hinge joint is replaced, but unlike the elbow replacement the
new joint is supported by building down through the bone. The back legs take
more brute force and need this added support to aid the joint.
Finally,
the third most common orthopedic surgery is hip replacements. Hip replacements
are normally necessary due to Hip Dysplasia or advanced osteoarthritis. The
entire coxofemoral ball and socket joint in the femur is replaced to add stability
and comfort to the hip. Animals that were once crippled due to hip problems can
now move about as is normal.
The
next big part of orthopedics which is often overlooked is orthopedic braces.
These are meant to aid in movement through non-invasive terms. Animals that
have muscle loss or neurological disorders that inhibit the range of motion in
a limb can benefit from this orthopedic method. Braces support weak limbs, and
use some techniques that help an animal lift limbs.
Some
animals lose muscle use through sudden trauma, or sometimes merely through old
age. Braces are a gentle way to regain limb use. One such case involves a dog
that lost his full ability to lift his back left leg. The back of his paw
dragged on the ground and wore away at the top of his foot. An orthopedic brace
was assembled that attached above the stifle joint and wrapped a band around
his toes. This allowed the dog to walk without injury by aiding the muscles in
lifting the leg with each step.
There
are several steps involved in having an orthopedic brace fashioned for an
animal. First the animal is evaluated for eligibility to receive a brace.
Aspects such as the extent of the injury, the deformity, the animal’s live
environment, and what kind of lifestyle the animal leads is all considered
before the decision can be made. Long-term goals are also reviewed to make sure
the best interest of the animal is considered. Next, a cast-mold is created to
make a custom-fitted brace for the animal. This can be accomplished through two
different methods. Either your vet can create a cast and the dimensions can be
sent in to the business creating the orthopedics, or the business can send you
a casting kit for a fee. The brace will then be built over a course of five to
ten days.
After
the brace has been built, the orthopedic device will be tried on for the first
time. Adjustments will be made to make the brace most comfortable with the
largest range of motion available. Certain adjustments can be made, such as
moving the frame to release pressure or to aid in support, increasing the liner
to make changes to the amount of shock absorbance and to adjust friction
between the animal’s limb and the device. And finally the straps used to secure
the device can be changed.
Once
the adjustments have been made, the animal is made a wearing schedule to help
“break in” the device. Animals must accumulate to the device to be able to wear
it comfortably. The orthopedic brace is not intended to by worn all the
time.
After
the device has been made, repairs and refurbishments are often offered through
a business to keep the device in working order. Two aspects of the brace can be
repaired or refurbished: the frame, or the foam lining/straps in the brace.
The
last big part of orthopedics is prosthetics. Animals will lose their feet in
traumatic events, such as an accident or through hypothermia. One such animal
was a cat that urinated in the freezing weather, and became frozen to the
ground from the liquid on her back legs. She lost both back feet, but was able
to be fitted with prosthetic paws.
Prosthetics
are built in much the same way as a brace. A mold can be taken of an existing
leg or foot or of the injured leg to help determine the placement of the new
limb. The animal is then sent into surgery where the prosthetic is grafted into
the bone. The bottom part can be attached from outside the animal to be able to
have repairs, or it can be a permanent replacement.
Prosthetics
are still an expanding field, and requires a lot of research to be taken to new
places, just as human prosthetics are. But prosthetics for now are an amazing
field that can be very extensive. Some animals have had as many as all four
feet replaced. This helps us see how far we’ve gone in this narrow field
already.
Orthopedics
in general help animals lead better and more natural lives. It’s still a
developing field, but we’ve come a far way since working on exclusively small
domestic animals. Surgeries, braces and prosthetics are all equally important
in the field, and each deserves its own respect.
Summary:
Animals Orthopedics
By: Rachel Counts
11/1/11
Animal Orthopedics is a fairly new field that often mirrors
the progress made in human orthopedics. It began in small animals, and has
progressed to include animals all across the board including (but not limited
to): llamas, horses, imus, kangaroos, and more.
·
Joint Athroplasty:
o
Elbow Replacements: requires supporting bones
and reconstructing joints
o
Stifle Replacements: create a new hinge joint. Supported by
building new joint into bones
o
Hip Replacements: normally required because of
hip dysplasia. Replaces coxofemoral
Short video
·
Orthopedic Braces
o
Helps support weak limbs or other degenerative diseases
o
Process includes: Evaluation for eligibility to
receive brace. Mold brace to animal. Build brace. Try on new orthopedic brace
and make final adjustments. Refurbish or repair brace over time.
·
Prosthetics
o
Normally meant to replace missing feet/paws or
limbs.
o
Expanding field
o
Lots of progress
o
Some animals have had as many as all limbs
replaced
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