SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, Sept. 23, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Central Animal Hospital of Saskatoon announced an orthopedic surgical procedure performed at the clinic has had a high rate of success in correcting a common, painful canine condition. The surgical procedure is called tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) and is performed by veterinarian Dr. Brian Gibbs. It offers a measurable record of success in correcting and relieving the pain dogs suffer from a ruptured CCL in the stifle, the canine equivalent of the knee. The CCL plays the same role as the ACL in the human knee joint.

The new website of Central Animal Hospital features an orthopedic surgical pet service, performed by a veterinarian, that has been successful in correcting one of the most common and painful canine orthopedic problems. A ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), a common canine orthopedic issue, is similar to ruptures in the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in humans. The condition often immobilizes dogs and is painful.

A CCL rupture causes the tibia, the bone below the stifle, to thrust forward. This causes joint pain, inflammation, instability and eventually arthritis. Several methods are available to repair this condition, but with varying degrees of success. But the TTA procedure, says Dr. Gibbs, is one of the two most successful options.

Dr. Gibbs said, "TTA provides dogs an earlier return to normal function. I have found that this procedure has a much lower failure rate than other procedures and a much greater rate of success in returning dogs to a pain-free quality of life."

A video on the Central Animal Hospital website shows how TTA helped Rhys, a 2 ½-year-old chocolate Lab that came into the animal hospital October 18, 2011, limping on her right hind leg. Veterinarian Dr. Gibbs diagnosed her with a CCL rupture and performed the TTA procedure on October 25. In the video, recorded just nine days later, on November 3, Rhys is shown able to use her leg at nearly 100 percent.

Technicians provide post-operative therapy for dogs that receive the procedure. This includes passive range of motion therapy, or stretching, massage, cold packing, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and laser therapy performed with the animal hospital's MLS Laser Machine.

The clinic provides a range of Saskatoon pet services for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and rabbits. The new website provides information about the hospital's preventive health services, spay and neuter operations, emergency care, surgical services, including laser surgery, and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment for diagnosing pet illnesses. The website also includes educational information for visitors and free registration for the animal hospital's newsletter,

Central Animal Hospital in Saskatoon is part of the Animal Care Group, a network of several veterinary clinics that offer preventative care, surgery, spay and neuter operations, dental care and emergency and urgent care. The five veterinarians at the hospital care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and rabbits.