Jennifer Au, DVM, DACVS, CCRT

Orthopedic infections should also be thought of as infections involving the bones (osteitis or osteomyelitis), joints and surrounding support structures (periostitis, myelitis, cellulitis). Typically when we think of orthopedic infections we think of infections resulting after orthopedic surgery.

The coxofemoral joint is a ball and socket joint. Normal stability of the hip is provided through a combination joint capsule, ligament of the head of the femur and dorsal acetabular rim. In addition, the joint fluid and acetabular labrum including the ventral acetabular ligament and extraarticular soft tissue structures such as the gluteals, adductors and abductors of the hip joint provide secondary stability.

There are more and more options out there for our patients in the way of braces, orthotics and assistive devices. They can provide much needed help during or after rehab, surgical recovery, as an alternative to surgery and our geriatric patients.

The goal in management of open fractures is to prevent further contamination, prevent additional damage to the bone and surrounding soft tissues especially nerve and vascular supplies and facilitate timely stabilization.

The patella or kneecap is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and one of 4 in the stifle, the other three being the 2 of the gastrocnemius and the popliteal muscle. The patella lies within the tendon of insertion of the quadriceps muscle. The part of the tendon between the apex or distal aspect of the patella and its insertion on the tibial tuberosity is called the patellar ligament.

The elbow joint or cubital joint is composed of three joints: humeroradial, humeroulnar and proximal radioulnar. The joint capsule includes all three joints with one space. The radial head articulates with the capitulum of the humerus whereas the ulna articulates with the trochlea.