Our veterinary team provides orthopedic evaluation, diagnostics, and surgical care for dogs and cats in Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Berkley, Sterling Heights, and nearby Michigan communities.
Pain and Mobility Problems Deserve Real Answers
When a dog stops bearing weight on a leg, or when a cat begins moving with stiffness that was not there before, the need for answers and relief is immediate.
Orthopedic conditions affect the bones, joints, ligaments, and connective tissues. They are among the most common causes of pain, limping, reduced movement, and lower quality of life in dogs and cats.
At Madison Veterinary Hospital, we provide thorough orthopedic evaluation, diagnostic imaging, pain management, and surgical treatment to help restore your pet’s comfort and mobility.
Our approach to orthopedic surgery is built on the same foundation that has guided our practice for more than 50 years: careful diagnosis first, clear communication always, and a genuine commitment to your pet’s wellbeing from the first evaluation through recovery.
Common Orthopedic Conditions We Treat
Our veterinary team evaluates and treats a wide range of orthopedic concerns in dogs and cats. Some conditions may require surgery, while others may be managed with medication, weight control, activity changes, rehabilitation, or pain management.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Cranial cruciate ligament rupture, often called CCL rupture, is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs.
The cranial cruciate ligament helps stabilize the knee joint. When it ruptures, either suddenly or gradually through degeneration, it can cause pain, lameness, swelling, instability, and progressive joint damage if left untreated.
Surgical stabilization is often recommended for many dogs with CCL rupture. We will evaluate your dog’s size, anatomy, lifestyle, activity level, and overall health before discussing the most appropriate treatment approach.
Luxating Patella
A luxating patella is a kneecap that slips out of its normal groove. This can cause intermittent lameness, a skipping gait, discomfort, and over time, arthritis or cartilage damage.
Luxating patella is especially common in small and toy breed dogs, but it can also affect larger dogs and cats. Depending on the grade of luxation and your pet’s symptoms, surgical correction may be recommended to improve joint function and reduce long term damage.
Fracture Repair
Traumatic fractures need proper stabilization so the bone can heal correctly. Treatment depends on the location, type, severity, and stability of the fracture.
Some fractures may be managed with splints or casts, while others require internal fixation using pins, wires, plates, or screws. We evaluate each fracture carefully with diagnostic imaging before recommending the best treatment plan.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition where the hip joint forms abnormally. This can lead to joint instability, inflammation, pain, and progressive arthritis.
It is especially common in large and giant breed dogs. Treatment may include medical management, weight control, pain management, activity changes, or surgical options depending on your pet’s age, size, symptoms, and severity of disease.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a group of developmental conditions affecting the elbow joint in dogs. These may include fragmented coronoid process, osteochondrosis dissecans, and ununited anconeal process.
Pets with elbow dysplasia may show front leg lameness, stiffness, swelling, or reduced activity. Surgical treatment may be recommended in some cases to address abnormal tissue and help slow the progression of joint disease.
Bone Infections
Bone infections, also known as osteomyelitis, can occur after trauma, surgery, wounds, or spread from nearby infected tissue.
Treatment may involve surgical cleaning, bone culture, and targeted antibiotic therapy. These cases require careful monitoring and a clear treatment plan.
Other Orthopedic Conditions
Our veterinary team also evaluates many other bone, joint, and mobility related concerns. If your pet has an orthopedic condition not listed here, please contact Madison Veterinary Hospital to discuss whether our team is the right fit for their care.
How We Diagnose Orthopedic Conditions
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of successful orthopedic treatment. Rushing to a surgical recommendation without a proper evaluation does your pet a disservice.
Our diagnostic process is designed to understand the cause of pain or lameness before recommending a treatment plan.
Physical and Orthopedic Examination
Your veterinarian will watch your pet move, assess gait and weight bearing, and examine the affected area for swelling, pain, instability, limited range of motion, and muscle loss.
In many orthopedic conditions, the physical exam provides important diagnostic information and helps guide the next step.
Digital Radiography
Our in-house digital radiography system allows us to capture clear images of bones and joints. X-rays help identify fractures, luxations, arthritis, developmental abnormalities, bone changes, and other orthopedic concerns.
For families in Madison Heights, Ferndale, Warren, Troy, and nearby communities, having access to in-house orthopedic imaging at a primary care veterinarian can mean fewer referral steps and faster answers when a pet is in pain.
Multiple views may be taken to fully understand the affected area. For more information about our imaging capabilities, please visit our Radiology and Ultrasound page.
Referral Imaging When Needed
For complex cases that require CT imaging, MRI, or advanced specialist review, we will coordinate referral to a veterinary specialty center.
When referral is the right choice, our team works closely with the specialist to support continuity of care and keep you informed throughout the process.
Anesthesia and Pain Management
Orthopedic procedures require general anesthesia, and we approach anesthetic planning with careful attention.
Some orthopedic patients are young, healthy, and active. Others are older pets with additional health conditions that require extra preparation. In both situations, our pre-anesthetic physical exam and bloodwork help us plan safely before the procedure.
Pain management is a priority in orthopedic surgery. We use a multimodal pain management approach that may include pre-operative medications, local anesthetic techniques, post-operative medications, and recovery support.
Managing pain well in the early recovery period can support better healing, improved comfort, and stronger long-term outcomes.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Orthopedic recovery takes time, and the care pet owners provide at home during recovery is very important.
After your pet’s procedure, we will provide detailed instructions that may include activity restrictions, leash walking rules, incision care, medication instructions, physical therapy exercises when appropriate, recheck appointments, and follow up X rays.
For pets recovering from cruciate surgery or other major orthopedic procedures, we may also discuss the benefits of formal rehabilitation therapy. This may include therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, or laser therapy to support muscle rebuilding, comfort, and return to function.
Our team is available to answer questions throughout recovery. We also schedule follow up care to confirm healing is progressing appropriately before your pet returns to normal activity.
When a Specialist Referral Is the Right Call
We believe in being honest with pet owners about what is within our scope and what is best referred to a board-certified veterinary surgeon.
For highly complex cases, certain advanced procedures such as TPLO, or cases requiring specialized equipment we do not have on site, we may recommend referral to a veterinary surgical specialist.
Our goal is always to help your pet receive the right care, wherever that care is best delivered.
A Practice Built on Honest, Thorough Care
Pet owners across Madison Heights, Troy, Sterling Heights, Berkley, and throughout the metro Detroit area have trusted Madison Veterinary Hospital for generations because they know we will tell them the truth, treat their pets with genuine care, and stand behind our work.
Orthopedic surgery is a significant decision for any pet and any family, and we do not take that lightly.
Madison Veterinary Hospital is AAHA accredited and has been recognized by Newsweek as one of the Best Veterinary Hospitals in America in 2025 and 2026. That recognition reflects the careful, honest, and thorough care we bring to every case, including complex orthopedic ones.
If your dog or cat is limping, struggling to rise, avoiding stairs, or showing signs of joint pain, do not wait and hope it resolves on its own. Many orthopedic conditions worsen over time without treatment, and early evaluation often leads to better outcomes.
Call Madison Veterinary Hospital at 248-399-5225 or request an appointment online to discuss your pet’s mobility concerns.
Related Veterinary Services
Orthopedic surgery often connects with diagnostic, pain management, and recovery services. Based on your pet’s condition, our team may also recommend related care options.
