Introduction to Orthopaedic Surgery – delivered by Improve Veterinary Education

Through a combination of concise teaching and hands-on practical sessions, you will develop a clear understanding of core orthopaedic principles and how to apply them in first-opinion practice.

You will revisit relevant applied surgical anatomy and learn key approaches to bones and joints, with an emphasis on safe tissue handling and repeatable surgical techniques. The course covers common joint and limb conditions, including hip luxation, osteochondral disease, cranial cruciate ligament disease, and patellar luxation, alongside the principles of fracture planning and repair.

By the end of the course, you should feel more confident selecting appropriate implants, planning routine orthopaedic procedures, and performing commonly encountered surgeries in practice. No previous orthopaedic surgical experience is required.

Topics to be covered include:

• Applied surgical anatomy and atraumatic tissue handling
• Core orthopaedic surgical approaches
• Principles of fracture assessment and surgical planning
• Techniques for fracture repair using pins, plates, cerclage and tension band wires
• Appropriate selection and use of screws, including lag, positional, and plate fixation
• Surgical management of osteochondral disease
• Cranial cruciate ligament disease and patellar luxation
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Hip Luxation