When a dog sustains a broken leg or hip injury, the consequences reach far beyond physical pain — your pet may be unable to walk, bear weight, or move comfortably, leaving you searching for answers and the best possible care. These time-sensitive orthopedic injuries require prompt evaluation and, in many cases, surgical repair to restore normal function and support your pet’s long-term quality of life.
At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, our team provides comprehensive broken leg and hip surgery for dogs in Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Citrus Heights and surrounding areas. Dr. Erin Paster is a board-certified surgeon who brings advanced orthopedic surgical experience to each case, utilizing modern techniques and implants to achieve the best possible healing outcomes for your pet.
Broken leg and hip injuries in dogs represent time-sensitive orthopedic injuries that require prompt veterinary attention and often surgical intervention to restore normal function and support long-term mobility. These injuries can result from traumatic accidents, falls, or athletic activities, causing significant pain and mobility limitations that dramatically impact your dog’s quality of life.
At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, our veterinary team provides comprehensive surgical treatment for dogs with broken legs and hip injuries. Dr. Erin Paster is a board-certified surgeon who brings advanced surgical experience to every case, utilizing modern surgical techniques and implants to achieve optimal healing outcomes for your pet.
Leg fractures can occur in any of the long bones, including the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, or ulna, with each location presenting unique challenges for surgical repair. The femur, being the largest and strongest bone in the leg, requires particularly robust fixation methods when fractured, while smaller bones may be repaired using different surgical approaches. Common signs of a broken leg in dogs include sudden lameness, an inability or refusal to bear weight on the limb, visible swelling, and pain when the area is touched.
Hip injuries encompass various conditions, including hip fractures, hip dislocations, and acetabular fractures affecting the socket portion of the hip joint. Dogs with a broken or dislocated hip often show symptoms such as an inability to rise normally, a dropped or asymmetrical pelvis, and reluctance to move the rear limbs. These injuries often result from high-energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents or falls from significant heights, and may involve multiple bone fragments that require careful reconstruction.
Motor vehicle accidents represent the most common cause of severe leg and hip injuries in dogs, often resulting in complex fractures that may involve multiple bones or joints. The force involved in these accidents can cause fractures with multiple bone fragments that require advanced surgical techniques for repair.
Falls from heights, particularly common in younger dogs or those with high activity levels, can cause various types of fractures depending on how the dog lands and the height of the fall. Athletic injuries during play or exercise can also result in fractures, particularly in active breeds prone to high-impact activities.
Dogs with suspected leg or hip fractures require prompt veterinary evaluation to assess the extent of injury and provide appropriate urgent care. Initial stabilization focuses on pain management, prevention of further injury, and evaluation for other trauma-related injuries that may be present but less obvious during initial examination.
Initial radiographs help identify the location and severity of fractures while ruling out additional injuries that may require treatment. Our Roseville veterinary practice performs a comprehensive trauma evaluation to confirm all injuries are identified and prioritized appropriately for treatment planning.
A dog with a broken hip may be able to take a few steps, but doing so places dangerous stress on the fracture site and surrounding soft tissue — prompt evaluation is always needed, even if your pet appears to be bearing some weight. Effective pain control represents a crucial component of treating dogs with broken legs or hip injuries, as these conditions cause severe pain that requires immediate attention. Our comprehensive pain management protocols provide optimal comfort during urgent evaluation and throughout the treatment process.
Temporary stabilization using splints, bandages, or external supports may be applied to prevent further injury and provide some pain relief while definitive treatment plans are developed. These measures help protect damaged tissues and reduce patient discomfort during the evaluation period.
High-quality radiographs provide essential information about fracture configuration, bone fragment position, and the extent of joint or growth plate involvement that influences surgical planning. Multiple radiographic views are typically obtained to fully characterize the injury pattern and identify all affected structures.
Advanced imaging, such as CT scans, may be recommended for complex hip fractures or cases where three-dimensional visualization would improve surgical planning. These detailed images help our surgical team plan the most appropriate repair technique and select suitable implants for optimal outcomes.
Comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation ensures that dogs are appropriate candidates for surgical repair and helps identify any concurrent medical conditions that might affect surgical or anesthetic risk. This evaluation includes physical examination, blood work, and assessment of overall health status.
Our surgical team considers multiple factors when planning fracture repairs, including dog size, age, activity level, and fracture characteristics. The goal is to select repair techniques that provide stable fixation while promoting rapid healing and return to normal function.
Recognizing the warning signs early gives your pet the best chance at a full recovery. Contact our Roseville team if you observe any of the following:
Modern fracture repair utilizes various surgical techniques and implants to achieve stable bone fixation that allows for proper healing. Bone plates and screws provide rigid fixation for many leg fracture types, particularly those involving the femur or tibia, where precise alignment and stability are crucial for optimal outcomes.
Intramedullary rods or pins and wires may be used for certain fracture patterns, providing internal support through the center of the bone that maintains alignment while allowing bone healing. The choice of repair method depends on factors such as fracture location, bone size, and fracture pattern characteristics.
External fixators consist of pins that enter the bone and are connected to an external bar. This repair is particularly useful for open fractures, highly comminuted fractures, or fractures with other complex characteristics.
The selection of appropriate surgical implants depends on multiple factors, including bone size, fracture location, patient activity level, and expected healing characteristics. Our surgical team maintains a comprehensive inventory of orthopedic implants designed specifically for different dog sizes and fracture types.
Our board-certified surgeon meticulously selects the appropriate fracture repair technique and method of fixation to maximize your pet’s chances of healing success while minimizing post-surgical challenges. Choosing a board-certified surgeon to treat your pet’s orthopedic injuries is paramount to your pet’s surgical treatment success, decreasing risk, and confirming that your pet is under the care of a surgeon with the most advanced surgical training.
Proper implant placement requires precise surgical technique to confirm optimal alignment and stability of bone fragments, as well as maintaining joint alignment and growth plate preservation. Advanced surgical planning helps determine ideal implant positioning that provides maximum stability while minimizing surgical trauma to surrounding tissues.
Hip injuries may require various surgical approaches depending on the specific structures involved and the extent of damage. Hip fractures involving the femoral head or neck may be treated with internal fixation using screws or pins, while more severe cases might require femoral head ostectomy to eliminate painful joint contact.
Acetabular fractures affecting the hip socket require careful reconstruction to restore normal joint mechanics and reduce or delay long-term arthritis development. These complex procedures often involve multiple surgical approaches and specialized implants designed for pelvic reconstruction.
Dogs with pre-existing hip dysplasia may be more susceptible to hip injuries and may require modified surgical approaches that address both the acute injury and underlying hip joint abnormalities. These cases often benefit from procedures that provide both fracture repair and improved hip joint function.
Femoral head ostectomy may be recommended for severe hip injuries where joint reconstruction is not feasible, providing pain relief and functional mobility through elimination of the damaged joint surfaces.
Recovery from leg and hip surgery requires careful management of activity levels and gradual return to normal function. Initial post-operative care focuses on pain management, wound monitoring, and strict activity restriction to protect the surgical repair during critical healing periods.
Physical rehabilitation plays an important role in optimizing recovery outcomes, helping dogs regain strength and mobility while protecting healing bone and soft tissues. This may include controlled exercise programs, range of motion activities, and strengthening exercises designed for each individual case.
Appropriate activity restriction following leg and hip surgery is essential for successful outcomes. Most dogs require at least 6-8 weeks of restricted activity, including leash walks only, no running or jumping, and confinement when unsupervised to prevent reinjury to healing structures.
Gradual return to normal activity begins once radiographic evidence of bone healing is observed, typically progressing from longer leash walks and swimming, to supervised off-leash activity as healing continues. Our team provides detailed activity guidelines throughout the recovery period.
While most leg and hip fractures heal successfully with appropriate treatment, potential challenges can include implant loosening, infection, delayed healing, or the development of arthritis in affected joints. Early recognition and prompt management of any post-surgical challenges help minimize their impact on long-term outcomes.
Regular follow-up examinations include physical assessment and radiographic monitoring to confirm proper healing progression and implant stability. These appointments allow our veterinary team to adjust treatment recommendations and address any concerns that arise during recovery.
Most dogs experience excellent long-term outcomes following successful repair of leg and hip injuries, returning to normal or near-normal activity levels once healing is complete. Some dogs may develop arthritis in joints affected by the original injury, particularly if joint surfaces were involved.
Ongoing monitoring and appropriate management help maintain optimal joint health and function throughout your dog’s lifetime. Weight management and appropriate exercise help support long-term joint health and minimize the impact of any residual changes from the original injury. Our Stonebridge team can help to preserve your dog’s mobility as long as possible during annual wellness visits with recommendations for joint health, muscle strength, and mobility.
While not all leg and hip injuries can be prevented, certain measures can help reduce the risk of traumatic injuries in dogs. Leash training and proper containment help prevent motor vehicle accidents, while avoiding high-risk activities in young dogs can reduce the likelihood of athletic injuries.
Regular veterinary examinations help identify dogs at higher risk for certain types of injuries, allowing for preventive measures or activity modifications that may reduce injury risk. Early intervention for conditions like hip dysplasia can also help prevent secondary injuries.
Our commitment to orthopedic surgery supports the goal that dogs with leg and hip injuries receive the most advanced and compassionate care available. Dr. Erin Paster is a board-certified surgeon at Stonebridge, with the advanced surgical training necessary to optimize your dog’s fracture and hip treatment. We combine surgical experience with state-of-the-art equipment and comprehensive rehabilitation support to provide optimal outcomes for orthopedic patients. Our experienced team understands the stress and concern that accompany serious injuries, and we’re committed to providing clear communication and support throughout the treatment process.
If your dog has sustained a leg or hip injury, prompt veterinary care gives your pet the best possible opportunity for a full recovery. To learn more about our comprehensive orthopedic surgery services for dogs with broken leg and hip injuries, please contact us today.
Recovery is gradual and closely monitored by our Roseville team at each stage. Here is a general timeline of what you and your pet can expect:
Pain Management Specialist
Integrative Medicine Practitioner
Board-Certified Surgeon
Located at 254 Gibson Drive in Roseville, our family-owned veterinary clinic provides compassionate, five-star care to pets throughout Roseville and the surrounding areas. Led by board-certified surgeon Dr. Erin Paster with over 20 years of experience, our team treats every pet with the same love and respect we would our own.
The information provided on this website has been reviewed by our veterinarians but is for educational purposes only. It should not replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your pet is experiencing a medical concern, please contact our clinic at (916) 773-8578 or seek immediate veterinary care.
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