Orthopedic Surgery for Pets

When your pet is injured or having difficulty moving, it can be stressful for both of you. Limping, stiffness, or reluctance to jump or play may be signs of an orthopedic condition affecting your pet’s bones, joints, or ligaments.

At Sugar Hill Animal Hospital, our veterinary team evaluates orthopedic concerns and helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan, whether that includes medical management, rehabilitation, or surgery. Our goal is to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help your pet return to an active, comfortable life.

Common Pet Orthopedic Surgeries

The following surgeries are routinely performed by our veterinarians to get your pet on the road to feeling better!

Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Injury

Pets have a ligament in their knee similar to the human ACL, called the CCL. When it is injured or torn, pets may limp, avoid using the leg, or experience ongoing pain. CCL injuries are common in dogs of all ages and activity levels.

Treatment options vary based on your pet’s size, activity level, and severity of injury. Some cases can be managed without surgery, while others benefit from surgical stabilization. Your veterinarian will help determine the best approach for your pet.

Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP)

At Sugar Hill Animal Hospital, Dr. Seibert specializes in a type of orthopedic surgery known as the Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP).

What is the Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP)?

MMP is a surgical repair of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL tear. These types of injuries cause the patient’s tibia ( shin bone ) to thrust forward when moving or even just bearing their own weight. CCL tears will not heal completely without surgical intervention.

MMP surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can repair a torn or ruptured CCL in your dog’s knee joint. The surgery works by redirecting the impact of the large quadriceps ( thigh ) muscle to compensate for the injured cruciate ligament. The patellar tendon can then take over and act like a new CCL tendon.

Which Pets Can Receive MMP Surgery?

Failure of the cranial cruciate ligament is common in dogs. The Modified Maquet Procedure (MMP) can treat CCL injuries while also addressing pain and immobility.

CCL tears can be caused by a sudden injury. More often, they happen gradually over time, worsening with continued use. Some signs that your dog may have an injured CCL include:

• Limping
• Lameness in hind legs
• Reluctance to jump or play
• Favoring the opposite leg
• Changes to their gait or the way they walk

MMP vs. TPLO

There are a few cruciate ligament repair options for dogs, including TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) and TTA (Tibial Tuberosity advancement).

TPLO surgery involves cutting into the tibia bone, rotating it and adjusting its position. Bone plates and screws are then used to hold the bone graft into place.

Although every patient is unique, there are a few reasons! Dr. Seibert may recommend MMP over TPLO or traditional cruciate repair:

• MMP is minimally invasive
• MMP only cuts the bone once instead of three times
• MMP recovery time is significantly shorter, usually four to six weeks
• MMP is usually more affordable, as it’s less time-intensive

What Does MMP Cruciate Ligament Surgery in Dogs Look Like?

The overall goal of MMP is to free the part of the tibia attached to the quadriceps muscle and redirect the force generated by these large muscles to compensate for the injured CCL. The tibia is the bone located between the knee and ankle. During MMP surgery, it’s moved forward to a 90-degree angle to the patellar tendon, allowing this tissue to take over and act in a similar way to the CCL.

The void is stabilized using an implant made from porous titanium OrthoFoam. This orthopedic implant promotes healing and accelerates bone growth. Capillaries can penetrate the OrthoFoam, reducing
patient convalescence and the pain your dog experiences post surgery. After four to six weeks, the implant fills with enough bone to stabilize the repair.

What to Expect After Treatment

To ensure your dog’s optimal healing after treatment, we will recommend a period of very limited activity. Although MMP tends to cause less discomfort than other procedures, the patient should not use the operated leg too quickly. Dr. Seibert will provide you with a set of discharge instructions detailing recovery restrictions.

Running, jumping and rough play should be avoided for at least six weeks post-surgery. You’ll also want to block off access to stairs. We recommend using a leash whenever your dog is outside for at least two weeks. Following these recommendations will give the bone time to heal and reduce the risk of strain, stress fracture or implant failure.

After six weeks, X-rays should confirm that everything is healing as it should. By this time, your dog should be able to take walks for up to 30 minutes in grassy areas. After 12 weeks, your dog should be able to resume a normal level of activity.

Orthopedic Referrals & Collaborative Care

Some orthopedic procedures are performed in general practice, while more complex surgeries are best handled by board-certified veterinary surgeons. When referral care is recommended, we work closely with trusted specialty partners to ensure continuity of care before and after surgery.

Pet Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation plays an important role in recovery from orthopedic injury or surgery. Physical therapy helps restore strength, mobility, and joint function while reducing pain and preventing future injury.

Some common physical therapy techniques for pets include:

• Therapeutic exercises to build up muscles and strengthen the joint.
• Laser therapy to reduce inflammation and boost healing.
• Hydrotherapy (like swimming or using an underwater treadmill) to help your pet exercise without stressing the joint.
• Massage therapy to improve your pet's circulation and ease any muscle tension.

With the right rehab plan, your pet will be back to their fun, playful self in no time!

Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery in Sugar Hill

If your pet is showing signs of pain or mobility issues, early evaluation is key. Call (770) 271-7777 or book an appointment online to discuss orthopedic care options.