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Orthopaedics at VSOS
Specialist orthopaedic care for pets with lameness, joint pain, fractures, and mobility issues.
When your pet is limping, struggling to get up, or has had an accident, you want clear answers and a plan that actually works in real life. At Veterinary Specialists of Sydney (VSOS), our orthopaedics team treats complex bone, joint, and soft-tissue problems with one goal, to help your pet move comfortably again, with the safest surgery (or non-surgical option) for their needs, and a recovery plan you can feel confident following.
We are built for team-based care. That means orthopaedic surgeons working alongside specialist anaesthesia and pain management, advanced diagnostic imaging (including CT and arthroscopy where needed), experienced surgical nurses, and a dedicated rehabilitation team, so your pet is supported from diagnosis through to confident, stable movement at home.
What is veterinary orthopaedics?
Veterinary orthopaedics focuses on the musculoskeletal system, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and the mechanics of movement. In pets, problems can be sudden (like a fracture) or gradual (like cruciate disease or elbow dysplasia), but they all have one thing in common: if we can identify the true mechanical cause, we can treat it more effectively and protect long-term comfort.
Think of your pet’s limbs like a well-aligned door hinge. When the hinge is straight, it swings smoothly. When it is even slightly misaligned, everything rubs, grinds, and wears out faster. Orthopaedics is about correcting the alignment and mechanics, not just masking the challenge.
Why choose VSOS for orthopaedics?
Orthopaedic surgery works best when it is backed by the right team, the right environment, and the right tools. VSOS was built to support complex orthopaedic cases with a multidisciplinary approach and facilities designed to prioritise safety, precision, and recovery.
Team-based care and a true hospital safety net
Orthopaedic patients often need more than a surgical plan, they need coordinated support. At VSOS, orthopaedics is backed by specialist anaesthesia and pain management, experienced nursing care, advanced imaging, and access to other specialist services when a case is complex or diagnosis is not straightforward.
Advanced anaesthesia and pain management
Pain control and anaesthetic safety are central to orthopaedic outcomes. VSOS uses advanced pain management techniques, including ultrasound-guided nerve blocks, designed to keep patients comfortable and support a smoother recovery.
Technology that supports precision
When joints and bones are involved, millimetres matter. VSOS is equipped with a suite of diagnostic and intra-operative tools, including digital X-ray, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, and arthroscopy, helping refine diagnosis and plan procedures with a high level of accuracy.
A broader toolkit of techniques for complex cases
Not every patient fits a standard approach. VSOS uses a range of fixation and surgical methods, from internal fixation with locking plates and screws, to external skeletal fixation where appropriate, and minimally invasive “keyhole” techniques supported by fluoroscopy in selected cases.
Leading-edge planning and patient-specific solutions when needed
For selected complex cases, VSOS can use CT-based 3D planning and patient-specific guides, and may use 3D printed anatomic locking plates designed to suit a patient’s anatomy in certain fracture scenarios. This is the kind of capability that can meaningfully expand options and improve outcomes for difficult cases.
Recovery and rehabilitation
Surgery is only one part of recovery. The real win is getting your pet to confidently use the limb again, with the right balance of rest, controlled exercise, and progressive strengthening.
Our rehabilitation team supports orthopaedic patients with structured plans that focus on:
- Pain control and comfort
- Rebuilding balance and proprioception
- Gait re-education (helping your pet move correctly again)
- Progressive muscle strengthening, at the right pace
In many post-operative cases, the first rehabilitation session is scheduled around 10 to 14 days after surgery, where the team assesses recovery and sets up a practical home-exercise plan.
Your journey with us
Whether you have come directly to us via emergency, or from a referral from your Vet. From your first appointment, our goal is to make the process clear and calm, for both you and your pet.
- We start with a thorough assessment and explain findings in plain language
- You will receive a clear plan, including options, expected outcomes, and recovery steps
- If surgery is recommended, we will guide you through preparation, hospital care, and aftercare
- Your referring vet stays informed throughout, so continuity of care remains strong
Next step
If your pet is limping, painful, or recovering from an injury, we are here to help you find the right path forward.
Our Orthopaedic Services & Conditions We Treat
Use this list as your starting point to explore the specific condition affecting your pet.
- Consultations & Diagnostics: Specialist orthopaedic consultation and gait assessment, digital X-rays, and advanced imaging (CT, MRI, arthroscopy).
- Cruciate Ligament Disease: Treating sudden lameness and ACL-type injuries, from diagnosis through to surgical stabilisation like TPLO.
- Fracture Repair & Trauma Reconstruction: Fixing broken bones after accidents.
- Feline Orthopaedic Surgery & Fracture Repair: Dedicated bone and joint care tailored specifically for our cat patients, from trauma repair to managing joint disease.
- Patellar Luxation (Kneecap Instability): Surgical correction for slipping kneecaps, ranging from straightforward to complex realignment cases.
- Elbow Dysplasia & Pain: Managing front-leg lameness in young dogs with arthroscopy, through to end-stage salvage options for severe disease.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): Treatment for cartilage defects in the shoulder, elbow, knee, or ankle.
- Humeral Intracondylar Fissure (HIF): Investigating and treating hidden stress fractures that cause on-and-off elbow lameness in certain susceptible breeds.
- Growth Deformities: Correcting angular limb deformities (curved or twisted legs) using advanced CT planning and 3D-printed surgical guides for perfect realignment.
- Advanced Arthritis Management: Providing solutions such as Arthrodesis (Joint Fusion) when progressive arthritis no longer responds to medication.
- Bone Tumours & Limb-Sparing: Offering advanced limb-sparing oncology surgery in carefully selected cases to avoid amputation.
- Orthotics and Bracing: Providing custom support for mobility decline to help avoid or delay surgery.
- Rehabilitation and Recovery: Structured follow-ups and home-exercise programmes to ensure your pet regains their strength confidently.
