Mysha, a 5 year old female dachshund came to see Small Animal Surgery Specialist, Darren Barnes at Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists (NiVS) as a third opinion for assessment of her severe bilateral forelimb deformity and associated end-stage carpal osteoarthritis, along with bilateral patella luxation. Although receiving pain killers and joint supplements to manage her condition, Mysha’s mobility continued to be severely impaired, and she showed visible signs of discomfort on all four limbs.
Following Darren’s examination, Mysha remained at NiVS and underwent a CT scan of both front limbs, which demonstrated the severity of her joint damage and limb deformity. The CT images were used to plan surgical correction of the deformity and fusion of the wrist joints in conjunction with Bill Oxley at Vet3D. Darren performed the complex surgery on each leg in turn with a 4-week interval between, using state-of-the-art 3D printed guides to precisely cut and realign the bones as digitally planned, secured using custom-designed 3D printed stainless steel plates.
3D printed models and post-op x-rays
For surgery, Mysha was under the care of the extremely talented specialist nursing team at NiVS who managed her anaesthesia, performing brachial plexus nerve blocks to help manage her analgesia during surgery and post-operative recovery, as well as scrubbing in to assist Darren with the surgical procedures.
Immediately following the first surgery, Mysha was brighter and more comfortable and within days she was using the operated limb in preference to the untreated limb. Mysha is now recuperating following her second surgery and her initial recovery has been excellent, already moving comfortably on her matching pair of new legs.
Mysha before and after surgery
Darren Said:
“Mysha still has a long road to a full recovery and will likely require treatment of her patella luxation later in the year, but so far, her owners and the whole team here at NiVS are thrilled with her progress.”
It is so rewarding to see a patient happier and more comfortable following such a life-changing procedure. Access to CT which we have here at NiVS, and 3D printing from Vet3D has revolutionised the way we treat limb deformities such as Mysha’s, making surgical treatment far more precise and efficient, which no doubt dramatically improves outcomes for patients compared to the days before these technologies.”
Established in 2019, Northern Ireland Veterinary Specialists, was Northern Irelands very first multidisciplinary Specialist small animal referral hospital. Over the years, NiVS has added to its services and now offers specialist led Internal Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Soft Tissue Surgery, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophthalmology along with Out Patient Digital Imaging, and continues to boast the only Cardiology Specialist service on the island of Ireland.
