Advanced Certificate in Small Animal Orthopaedic Surgery

Key learning objectives

• Describe the radiographic features of a complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in a dog.
• Describe the position of the arthroscopic portals used to inspect and treat the stifle joint.
• Discuss the different types of meniscal lesions that can be found on meniscal inspection and reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of stifle arthroscopy vs stifle arthrotomy.

Key learning objectives

• Explain the two most common methods to calculate the tibial plateau angle (TPA)
• Perform planning for Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) (Trans-Palatal Arch (TPA), degree of rotation, size of implants) on radiographs in a wet-lab environment. 
• Describe how to calculate the size of the wedge to be removed when performing a Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy (CCWO) and perform planning on radiographs.
• Perform Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery in a wet-lab environment.  
• Perform Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy (CCWO) surgery in a wet-lab environment. 

Key learning objectives

• Describe all surgical techniques available to correct a case of medial patellar luxation grade III/IV
• Perform a lateral transposition (+/- proximalisation/distalisation) of the tibial tuberosity followed by stabilisation with k-wires and tension band in a wet-lab environment. 
• Describe how to measure the degree of deformity of the distal femur and of the proximal tibia.
• Explain how to surgically correct deformity of the distal femur and of the proximal tibia.
• Perform a distal femoral osteostomy to treat deformity of the distal femur that lead to patella luxation in a wet-lab environment. 

Key learning objectives

• Describe pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of intervertebral disc disease
• Explain how to perform a hemilaminectomy/corpectomy to decompress the thoraco-lumbar spine
• Summarise how to perform a dorsal laminectomy to decompress the lumbo-sacral spine
• Practice hemilaminectomies, corpectomies and dorsal laminectomy in a wet-lab environment

Key learning objectives

• Describe cervical disc disease
• Describe cervical spondylomyelopathy
• Explain how to perform a ventral slot
• Explain how to stabilise vertebral fractures
• Perform a ventral slot and stabilise vertebral fractures in a wet-lab environment

Key learning objectives:

• Describe the anatomic structures that require assessment in order to perform arthroscopy.
• Describe the positioning of the portals used to perform shoulder arthroscopy.
• Describe the modified Cheli approach to the shoulder joint to treat an Osteochondral (OC) lesion of the humeral head.
• Describe the cranio-medial surgical approach to biceps tendon to perform a tenotomy/tenodesis.
• Perform the biceps test, the drawer test, and the biceps retraction test to diagnose biceps pain.
• Perform arthroscopy of the shoulder joint in a wet-lab environment. 
• Demonstrate how to perform a Velpeau bandage and a spica splint bandage.
• Describe the advantageous properties of cancellous bone in regards to a bone graft.
• Describe how to collect a cancellous bone graft from the proximal humerus.
• Perform collection of cancellous bone graft from the proximal humerus in a wet-lab environment. 

key learning objectives

• Describe the anatomic structures that require assessment in order to perform elbow arthroscopy.
• Describe the positioning of the portals used to perform elbow arthroscopy.
• Describe how to perform arthroscopy and an arthroscopic subtotal coronoid ostectomy.
• Perform arthroscopy of the elbow joint in a wet-lab environment. 
• Perform an arthroscopic subtotal coronoid ostectomy in a wet-lab environment. 
• Describe the modified Wendelburg approach commonly used to treat Osteochondral (OC) lesions of the medial humeral condyle or to approach the medial compartment to perform an unicompartimental elbow replacement.

Key learning objectives

• Describe the anatomy of the ligaments of the elbow joint and perform an open reduction (tunnel technique) following a traumatic luxation of the elbow joint.
• Describe common techniques to diagnose an ununited anconeal process and the treatment options.
• Compare the surgical options that are available for the different manifestations of elbow dysplasia *IC .
• Perform an oblique proximal ulnar osteotomy and a distal ulnar ostectomy as a treatment for short ulnar syndrome and elbow dysplasia in a wet-lab environment. 
• Recognise the case selection criteria to perform Canine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE) and Proximal Abducting Ulnar Osteotomy (PAUL) surgeries.
• Perform a Canine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE) in a wet-lab environment. 

Key learning objectives

• Describe step-by-step how to repair a Y or T fracture.
• Perform a lateral condylar humeral fracture repair in a wet-lab environment. 

Key learning objectives

• Compare the difference between stress and strain and strength and stiffness and describe a stress/strain curve produced when a material is loaded.
• Describe the different properties of cortical and cancellous bone.
• Compare the difference between the typical load-displacement curves produced when cortical and cancellous bone is loaded.
• Summarise the differences between primary and secondary bone healing. *IC
• Describe the radiographic appearance of delayed union, non-union and malunion.
• Explain the causes and treatment options for delayed union, non-union and malunion.
• Recognise the type of forces that need to be considered when choosing an implant.
• Discuss the type of fractures that are suitable for open anatomic reconstruction.
• Identify the primary implants that can be used in the most common fractures of the thoracic and pelvic limbs.
•  Compare the differences between cortical and cancellous screws.
• Describe the role that a locking screw has in a plate-screw construct compared to a non-locking screw.
•  Explain the tension side/surface in the long bones of the thoracic and pelvic limbs.
• Describe the different methods of plate application in long bones of the thoracic and pelvic limbs.
• Explain the different configurations and considerations when using wire in a tension band cerclage of a transposed tibial tuberosity.
• Perform a tension band cerclage of a transposed tibial tuberosity, using an appropriate configuration and wire size for the patient, in a wet-lab environment. *IC
• Describe the lateral surgical approach to the femur.
• Explain the considerations made when selecting an intramedullary pin size to be used in conjunction with a lateral plate (plate-rod construct).

Key learning objectives

• Recognise the fifteen critical principles for the application of a skeletal fixator.
• Describe the different External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) configurations that can be used to treat femoral and tibial fractures.
• Explain how to apply an External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) to treat a short oblique tibial and fibular fracture.
• Describe the safe corridors to apply an External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) on humerus, radius, femur, and tibia.
• Discuss the factors that can influence the resulting biomechanics of an External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) construct.
• Discuss the how the biomechanics of External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) will influence fracture management planning.
• Describe the different types of External Skeletal Fixation (ESF) available and their specific use.
• Demonstrate application of a type IIb external fixator on a tibia. *IC

Key learning objectives

• Describe the anatomy of the carpus and the hock joints *IC.
• Compare the difference between performing a partial vs pancarpal arthrodesis.
• Compare the difference between performing a partial vs pantarsal arthrodesis.
• Describe the basic principles to adhere to when performing an arthrodesis.
• Discuss three different techniques to treat multiple metacarpal/metatarsal fractures.
• Describe in detail how to place a Secured Pin Intramedullary Dorsal Epoxy Resin (SPIDER) external fixator.
• Describe the principles of tendon repair. *IC
• Perform a locking-loop suture (Kessler) and a three-loop pulley suture to repair tendon ruptures in a wet-lab environment. 
• Explain how to perform placement of a tibio-calcaneal screw to temporary immobilise the hock joint.
• Perform placement of a tibio-calcaneal screw to temporary immobilise the hock joint in a wet-lab environment. 

Key learning objectives

• Describe the different anatomic approaches to treat a fracture of the iliac body.
• Describe how to approach and stabilise a short oblique iliac fracture.
• Explain how to perform a sacro-iliac stabilisation using a lag screw and/or a trans-iliac pin/bolt.
• Perform a sacro-iliac stabilisation in a wet-lab environment. 

key learning objectives

• Describe the anatomy of the hip joint and the surgical approach to perform a toggle stabilisation.
• Describe all different surgical options to treat an acute coxo-femoral luxation.
• Perform a femoral head and neck excision in a wet-lab environment. 
• Describe all surgical options available for hip dysplasia: based on the dog’s signalment.
• Explain the advantage and disadvantage of all surgical options for hip dysplasia.
• Explain how to perform a Juvenile Symphysiodesis.
• Perform a Juvenile Symphysiodesis in a wet-lab environment.