
Orthopedic Surgery
At Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County
With best-in-class medicine, technology, and an expert team, we’re fully prepared to provide the complete, compassionate care your pet needs.

You've come to the right place
We are one of the first specialty hospitals to receive an Accredited Referral Practice designation, which means over 900 quality standards of our practice are consistently evaluated by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

What is orthopedic surgery?
Veterinary orthopedic surgery involves the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions related to a pet’s musculoskeletal system — including bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons.
Following a comprehensive exam and diagnostics, we can determine the best course of treatment for your pet. We choose the least invasive surgical procedure available so their recovery can be as swift and pain-free as possible. This means we stay on the leading edge of new procedures and approaches.
Each pet family receives a personalized plan for their pet’s procedure, pain management, recovery, rehabilitation, medications, and follow-up care. Providing the best possible quality of life is always our goal.
Our expert surgical team members are leaders in the field of veterinary orthopedics — and it shows by looking at our patient outcomes and best-in-class care.
Types of surgery
Cruciate ligament disease
Extracapsular stifle stabilization for CCL injury
Tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA)
Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO)
Diseases of the hip
Femoral head osteotomy (FHA)
Hip luxation
PENN-hip evaluation
Total hip replacement
Elbow dysplasia
Proximal abducting ulnar osteotomy (PAUL)
Sliding humeral osteotomy (SHO)
Fracture fixation
External fixators
Internal fixation
Patella luxation
Occurs when the dog's patella (kneecap) shifts out of alignment
Reconstructive surgery
Correction of limb deformities - circular fixator
Joint replacement of elbow and knee
We’re here for you (and them)
Schedule a visit. We’re here to help.
We want you and your pet to have the best experience possible. To schedule a surgical consultation, please contact us.
Prepare for your visit
- 01Call us directly to schedule an appointment.
- 02We’ll gather your pet’s records and collaborate with your primary care veterinarian.
- 03Complete all necessary paperwork prior to arrival using our online forms and ensure all necessary email communications are completed.
- 04Please limit the number of people that attend appointments and do not transport your pet if you yourself are ill.
During your visit
- 01Call 949-936-0055 to notify us as soon as you arrive.
- 02Let our client care representatives know of any personal accommodations you may need to be comfortable while you wait.
- 03We will let you know if you should stay close by or if you can leave and come back.
After your visit
- 01Follow your pet’s treatment plan and monitor their symptoms.
- 02You know your pet best. If anything seems amiss or you have any concerns, give us a call — we’re here for you.
- 03Our team will continue to partner with your primary veterinarian as a part of your pet’s ongoing care.
Our surgery team
When your pet needs care, our highly trained specialists are here to help.
Frequently asked questions
Understand more about your pet’s condition and treatment options.
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a condition where the ‘ball’ and ‘socket’ of the hip joint don’t fit together as they should, causing looseness and instability in the joint that results in a progressive loss of cartilage, the development of scar tissue and bone spurs, and the eventual onset of osteoarthritis.
Radiograph of a typical canine surgical candidate for total hip replacement showing degenerative changes in both hips. These changes include a shallow acetabular cup with boney production on the edges of the joint and flattened heads of the femurs, again with boney production at the margins.
Several surgical methods exist for treating hip dysplasia in dogs, including:
Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) is a relatively minor, minimally invasive surgical procedure performed on puppies under 18 weeks of age. JPS closes a growth plate at the bottom of the pelvis to stop the growth of the pubis, which results in the ‘socket’ reshaping to cover the ‘ball’ as the puppy continues to grow post-surgery. Research has shown that the JPS procedure has consistently provided normal, pain-free hip function.
Double or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO/TPO) has been used successfully in both dogs and children for decades. The DPO/TPO procedure cuts the pelvic bone in two (DPO) or three (TPO) places. The segments are rotated in order to improve the coverage of the ball by the socket.
Total Hip Replacement (THR) is an option for dogs who are at least one year old. Just as in humans, both ball and socket are replaced with implants. Evidence-based studies show this surgery consistently results in normal, pain-free function.
Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) Unlike the previous surgeries, the goal of FHO is pain reduction, not normal hip function. In an FHO, the ‘ball’ of the joint is completely removed. Without the ball, the muscles of the hip take over during limb movement. Dogs that undergo FHO are required to stick to a limited exercise program and stay slim. Still, the surgery can provide enough comfort to negate the need for anti-inflammatory pain medication.
It is important to note that the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) exam often used by breeders to certify that a dog is free of CHD cannot be performed until a dog is at least 24 months, at which time it is too late in the progression of the disease for some of the most effective surgical options. Because of this, we recommend the PennHIP test be used. PennHIP is a well-researched, peer-reviewed, and objective method that can successfully diagnose puppies as early as 16 weeks.
New patients
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