Fractures

Here you cam see an obvious example of a break as shown on the left..

Here you can see an obvious example of a break. When the bone (tibia) is displaced as badly as this, we need to use an internal fixator to repair the fracture (a plate in this case). This break usually heals well but can be fairly serious, as the blood supply to the lower end of the bone can be damaged and so healing can be affected.

Sometimes, when there are many pieces, we use an external fixator which is a bit like a steel bar on the outside, to which is attached several thin pins which, themselves, are inserted through the fragments of bone and keeps them stable while they heal.

Stuart Ashworth is our orthopaedic specialist and he performs many of these operations. For more complicated cases, we may receive referred cases from other Vets in our area.

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