Archie has surgery to repair his Patella Luxation

Archie was diagnosed with Patella Luxation, a common condition where the kneecap slips out of its groove. However, Archie’s case was anything but common.

He was diagnosed at Grade 4, the most severe ranking possible. At this level, the kneecap is permanently dislocated because the underlying bone structure, the femur and tibia, is physically twisted. For Archie, it wasn't just a "slipping kneecap"; his legs were growing in an extreme spiral.

To solve a problem this complex, we looked to the future of veterinary medicine: 3D Modelling.

After a detailed CT scan, our surgeons produced life-sized, 3D-printed models of Archie’s actual bones. These models allowed the team to:

• Rehearse the surgery: We could physically practice the complex cuts and rotations before Archie even entered the theatre.

• Custom-fit the hardware: We used incredibly small, specialised bone plates, pre-bending them to fit the unique "torsion" or twist of his tiny femur.

• Optimise speed: Having the plates ready beforehand ensured the surgery was as fast and safe as possible for a puppy of his size.

The operation was a marathon of precision. The surgeon worked to straighten the femur, untwist the knee joint, and realign the tibia to create a straight, functional leg.

During the procedure, the team discovered significantly more scarring and bone complexity than anticipated. True to the VSOS philosophy of patient safety, the decision was made to pause after correcting the first leg. This allowed Archie to recover fully and grow stronger before returning to have his second leg corrected.

Seven weeks post-surgery, Archie returned for a check-up, and the difference was night and day. X-rays confirmed the bones were healing beautifully, and his kneecap, once permanently out of place, was now sitting exactly where it belonged.

While he still has a journey ahead with "leg number two," Archie is already showing the world what happens when advanced technology meets specialist expertise. We don't expect him to reach his "full potential" for a few months yet, but we are thrilled to watch him take his first straight steps toward a happy, active life.

Complex deformities like Archie's require careful planning, but some pet health crises happen in an instant. Our team of talented veterinary specialists is on hand 24/7 to provide emergency care at our state-of-the-art animal emergency hospital in the Sutherland Shire.

If the worst should happen, know that the same expertise used to rebuild Archie's future is available for your pet, any time of the day or night.