Small Animal Two Day Orthopaedics Workshop - 02 & 03 DEC 2025

Managing orthopaedic cases in practice is energising and rewarding. However, breaking into this field and advancing our surgical skills is hampered by infrequent access to suitable cases. This 2-day orthopaedic event prioritises practical surgical time, with the goal of up-skilling delegates quickly and effectively. 

Day 1 focuses on fracture repair techniques in the canine pelvic limb. Lectures will cover the topics of patient stabilisation, fracture biomechanics and fracture planning, appropriate use of implants, and post-operative assessment.

Sawbones are used on day 1, where the following fractures repairs are performed by delegates:

·       Compression plating of transverse tibial and femoral fractures

·       Lag screw application as part of oblique fracture management

·       Tibial crest avulsion fracture repair using pin and tension band wiring

·       Distal femoral physeal fracture repair using crossed k-wires

·       Plate-rod management of comminuted femoral fractures

·       Use of external skeletal fixators for management of tibial and femoral fractures

·       Use of locking plates for management of tibial and femoral fractures

Lunch and refreshments included.

Course Description

 

Day 2 focusses on surgical management of hip luxation, with additional teaching on capital physeal fractures. Lectures will cover the diagnosis and treatment options for hip luxation and capital physeal fractures, plus the indications and surgical technique for femoral head and neck excision.

Cadavers are used on day 2, allowing candidates to practice fracture repair techniques from day one, plus the following hip surgeries:

·       Craniolateral approach to the hip joint

·       Hip toggle for management of coxofemoral luxation

·       Iliofemoral suture for management of coxofemoral luxation

·       Femoral head and neck excision

·       Wire fixation of capital physeal fractures

Learning Outcomes

Day 1 - By the end of the day students should be able to:

·       Assess and stabilise the emergency trauma patient

·       Perform diagnostic orthopaedic radiographs and describe fractures using standard terminology

·       Plan fracture repairs in the canine pelvic limb based on an understanding of fracture biomechanics and the uses and limitations of surgical implants

·       Surgically stabilise tibial and femoral fractures using compression plates, external fixators, locking plates, and pins and wires as indicated by fracture configuration

Day 2 - By the end of the day students should be able to:

·       Diagnose canine hip luxation and capital physeal fractures using physical examination and plain radiography

·       Create suitable treatment plans for cases of hip luxation and physeal fracture, involving surgical or nonsurgical options where appropriate

·       Provide guidance to owners regarding suitable treatment options, prognosis and post-operative care

·       Perform hip toggle and iliofemoral suture for management of hip luxation, pin fixation of capital physeal fractures, and femoral head and neck excision – all via a standard craniolateral approach to the canine hip joint

The course is suitable for all general practitioners looking to get-ahead in small animal orthopaedic surgery, including early career surgeons with a budding interest in orthopaedics. Day 1 and 2 can be attended together or individually; please note the practical benefit of practising with sawbones on day 1 followed by cadaver practice on day 2.

Speakers:

Andy Tomlinson

• Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
• BVSc CertAVP(GSAS) DipECVS MRCVS EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Prof. Eithne Comerford

• Professor of Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
• MVB PhD CertVR CertSAS PGCertHE DipECVS FHEA FRCVS RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics) and EBVS® European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)

Prof. Rob Pettitt

• Professor of Small Animal Orthopaedics
• BVSc PGCertLTHE DSAS(Orth) SFHEA FRCVS RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)