A variety of problems can negatively affect bone and joint structure. Sometimes the trouble stems from a traumatic accident that causes sudden, acute damage, such as a fractured leg bone or ruptured knee ligament. While simple fractures can often heal themselves with the aid ofa splint or cast, complex fractures (in which the bone ends have shifted out of position) need surgical intervention. A ruptured CCL (the equivalent of the ACL in the human knee joint) typically calls for surgery.

Orthopedic conditions can also be chronic in nature. Degenerative disc disease, for instance, is a natural process in which the vertebral discs collapse and create spinal joint pain. Osteoarthritis is another common age-related condition that leads to chronic pain and stiffness due to cartilage deterioration. Last but not least, hip dysplasia is frequently seen in certain breeds of dogs. This inherited trait worsens with age until the hip joint becomes painfully unstable. All three of these conditions might give us good reason to recommend orthopedic surgery if they’re not responding well to medication, lifestyle changes and/or nutritional
supplementation.