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Choosing the Right Veterinary Orthopedic Products: Locking Plates and Screws

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Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery plays a crucial role in veterinary medicine, ensuring pets live pain-free, active lives. This specialized field addresses various musculoskeletal issues, such as fractures, joint disorders, and ligament injuries. By improving mobility and alleviating discomfort, orthopedic surgery significantly enhances the quality of life for animals. Veterinary orthopedic procedures, including hip replacements and knee surgeries, are essential for treating conditions like hip dysplasia and luxating patella. The advancements in veterinary orthopedic surgery also contribute to quicker recovery times and better overall outcomes for our beloved pets. Continuing education for veterinary professionals is vital in staying updated with the latest advancements in vet orthopedic surgery.

Locking plates and locking screws are pivotal in modern veterinary orthopedic procedures, offering enhanced stability and fixation for fractures and other bone-related injuries. These advanced veterinary orthopedic products minimize the risk of bone deformation and promote faster healing by securely anchoring the fractured segments. The locking screw system and locking plate system distribute mechanical loads evenly, reducing the chances of implant failure and ensuring optimal bone alignment. Their use in veterinary orthopedics has revolutionized fracture management.

What Are Locking Plates and Screws?

Locking plates and screws are advanced orthopedic implants designed to provide stable fixation for bone fractures and other skeletal. These procedures rely on precision-engineered instruments made from top-quality materials to ensure the highest standards of care. Unlike traditional plates and screws, locking plates feature threaded screw holes that allow screws to lock into the plate, creating a fixed-angle construct. This design offers superior stability, reducing the risk of implant loosening while promoting optimal bone healing and vascular integrity.

Differences Between Traditional Veterinary Orthopedic Implants and Locking Plates and Screws

Traditional orthopedic implants rely on the friction between the plate and bone for stability, which can sometimes lead to complications like screw loosening and implant failure. In contrast, locking plates and screws form a rigid, fixed-angle structure that does not depend on bone quality for stability. This feature makes them particularly beneficial for treating fractures in osteoporotic or compromised bones. Locking plates distribute mechanical loads more evenly and ensure precise alignment.

Advantages of Locking Plates and Screws

Locking plates and screws offer numerous benefits in veterinary orthopedic surgery, making them essential tools for treating fractures and other bone-related injuries.

Enhanced Stability and Rigidity for Fractured Bones

Locking plates and locking screws provide superior stability and rigidity, ensuring that fractured bones remain securely in place during the healing process.

Reduced Need for Precise Anatomical Alignment

The locking plate system allows for a more flexible approach to bone alignment. Unlike traditional veterinary orthopedic implants that require perfect anatomical alignment, the locking screw system can accommodate minor discrepancies, making the surgical process less complex and more efficient.

Minimization of Damage to Blood Supply Around the Fracture Site

The design of locking plates and screws, minimizes the disruption of blood supply around the fracture site. This is crucial for maintaining bone health and promoting faster, more effective healing.

Applications in Veterinary Medicine

Locking plates and screws have become essential components in the treatment of various orthopedic conditions. Their advanced design and functionality offer a range of applications across different species and conditions.

Common Orthopedic Conditions Treated with Locking Plates and Screws

Locking plates and screws are widely used to address several common orthopedic conditions in animals, including:

Fractures: The primary application of locking screws and plates is the fixation of fractures.

Corrective Osteotomies: Locking screw systems are used in procedures to correct bone deformities, ensuring precise realignment and optimal healing.

Spinal Fixation: In cases of spinal injuries or deformities, locking plates and screws provide the necessary support to stabilize the spine and promote recovery.

Species-Specific Considerations

The use of locking plates and screws extends across various species, with specific considerations for each:

Small Animals: In dogs and cats, the quick lock locking screw system offers precise and minimally invasive solutions for fractures and joint issues, leading to faster recovery times and reduced post-operative complications.

Equine: Horses often suffer from complex fractures and joint injuries. The robust design of orthopedic products, such as locking plates, ensures that they can withstand the significant mechanical stresses.

Exotic Animals: Treating orthopedic conditions in exotic animals presents unique challenges due to their varied anatomy and physiology. Locking plate systems can be adapted to fit the specific needs of these animals.

Versatility and Adaptability in Various Veterinary Scenarios

Customizable Solutions: Locking screw systems can be customized to fit the unique anatomical structures of different species and sizes, ensuring optimal outcomes for each patient.

Minimally Invasive Options: The design of these veterinary orthopedic products allows for minimally invasive surgical techniques, reducing trauma to surrounding tissues and promoting quicker recovery.

Adaptability to Complex Cases: Locking plates and screws are suitable for a wide range of complex orthopedic cases, from simple fractures to multi-fragmentary breaks, providing reliable support and stability.

Long-Term Durability: The materials used in locking plate systems are designed to withstand the rigors of daily activity, ensuring long-term durability and reducing the likelihood of implant failure.

Eickemeyer's Specialty line of branded orthopedic products

Eickloxx large quality veterinary instruments

Eickloxx Large Set - The newly developed EickLoxx Large is an angle-stable osteosynthesis system for dogs with a weight of approx. 15 – 45 kg.

instruments for veterinary surgery and veterinary professionals

Eickloxx Small Set - The EickLoxx Small is a polyaxial locking kit for dogs and cats up to 15 kg.

Eickloxx micro veterinary surgery instruments

Eickloxx MicroSet - The EickLoxx Micro Osteosynthesis System has been specially developed for the treatment of fractures in small dogs and cats.

"I purchased the Eickloxx kit a year ago and it has brought confidence to the clinic. An efficient and comprehensive set of tools that is ready to tackle fractures that would normally have a difficulty set for referral only. Benny is a 1-year-old toy poodle that demonstrates how good the technology is."

Dr. Tom Picherack D.V.M.

Future Trends in Veterinary Orthopedics

The field of veterinary orthopedics is continuously evolving, driven by emerging technologies and advancements in veterinary orthopedic products. These innovations are set to transform the way orthopedic conditions in animals are treated, offering improved outcomes and new possibilities for care.

Emerging Technologies and Advancements

3D Printing: One of the most promising advancements is the use of 3D printing to create custom orthopedic implants. This technology allows for the production of highly precise and tailored implants that fit the specific anatomical needs of individual animals.

Biodegradable Implants: Research is ongoing into the development of biodegradable locking screws and plates. These implants gradually dissolve in the body as the bone heals, eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove the hardware.

Robotic-Assisted Surgery: The use of robotic systems in veterinary orthopedics is becoming more prevalent. These systems provide greater precision during surgeries, reducing the risk of human error and improving surgical outcomes.

Regenerative Medicine: Advances in stem cell therapy and other regenerative techniques are being integrated with traditional orthopedic procedures. These therapies can enhance the healing process, repair damaged tissues, and potentially reduce the need for invasive surgeries.

Why Choose Eickemeyer Veterinary Supplies?

The future of veterinary orthopedics is bright, with numerous advancements on the horizon that promise to improve the quality of care for animals. Eickemeyer's commitment to innovation and support for the veterinary community ensures that these emerging technologies will be effectively integrated into practice, meeting the evolving needs of veterinary surgeons and their patients.

Contact Us

For more information on vet orthopedic products visit eickemeyercanada.ca or info@eickemeyervet.com for purchasing and account information on our quality line of Products. Setting up an account with Eickemeyer is easy.