What should I expect after arthroscopic surgery for my pet?

If your pet has a bad elbow, shoulder, or knee, your veterinarian may refer you to an arthroscopic surgeon. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of joint conditions.

Typically, it involves making very tiny incisions into a pet’s joint. One incision allows a surgeon to insert surgical instruments, and another accommodates an arthroscope, which is essentially a tiny telescope with a light.

John Payne of the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center says, “this allows us to view inside of the joint and to really see everything in the joint that’s going on.” He says the incisions are so small, infections after surgery are rare, and you should soon see a steady improvement in your pet’scondition. If not, give your veterinarian a call.

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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