The following area contains graphic pictures of an actual surgical procedure performed at the hospital. Click here if you would like to bypass the surgery pictures and view post operative x-rays. Our surgeon needs to utilize specialized equipment if he is to put this bone back together so that Dakota can return to normal function. In this picture he is using magnifying glasses and special lighting. In addition, he has orthopedic instruments and equipment without which he would never be able to repair such a severe fracture.
Bone infections can be serious so significant time is spent in sterile preparation.
When Dakota has been anesthetized , and adequately prepared, an incision is made on the inside of his leg. This area has minimal muscle over it and gives good exposure to the fracture site. After careful dissection and control of hemorrhage the main fracture segments are isolated. The surgeon uses special wires called cerclage wires to begin the process of holding the fracture segments in place. It is a tedious process that takes up a significant amount of the surgery.