Patellar luxation is one of the most common orthopedic conditions, but cases differ. When it is complicated by cruciate ligament damage or by a deformed femur or tibia, the operation has to be tailored to the patient.

• 01Assess concurrent conditions Cruciate rupture, arthritis, limb alignment problems and other complicating factors
• 02Patient-specific surgical plan Based on the grade of luxation and the condition of the joint
• 03Anesthesia & sterile surgery Surgery with veterinarians trained in anesthesiology and a sterile operating system
• 04Post-operative recovery Rehabilitation and follow-up monitoring

Drawing on 10 years of clinical experience, patient-specific planning and a sterile system, we aim to reduce recurrence and after-effects. We also run a lifetime re-luxation policy with free revision surgery.

Our Surgery Center performs more than 100 TPLO operations a year. TPLO is widely regarded as the gold standard for cruciate ligament rupture. It is the most widely performed technique in countries with advanced veterinary care, with a low recurrence rate and a relatively fast recovery.

• Accurate arthroscopic diagnosis · confirms the cruciate rupture and checks cartilage and other surrounding tissue for damage, through a minimal incision
• TPLO / CBLO for small to large dogs
• Nerve blocks for effective pain control and a faster recovery

After surgery, our rehabilitation program helps the joint and muscles recover.

Hip surgery is performed when a hip problem makes walking difficult. The two main techniques are FHNO (femoral head and neck ostectomy) and THR (total hip replacement), most often for hip dysplasia and avascular necrosis of the femoral head (Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease). We choose the technique that suits the patient's weight, symptoms and disease stage.

Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHNO)

FHNO removes the femoral head so it no longer contacts the acetabulum, allowing a fibrous false joint to form. It is a relatively simple, less costly procedure, but because the joint is not replaced, large dogs over 15–20 kg may have some restriction of movement afterward — so it is recommended mainly for small dogs.

Total hip replacement (THR)

THR replaces the damaged hip entirely with an artificial joint and can restore full joint function. It is a highly demanding operation, best performed by a dedicated orthopedic surgery team. At S Animal Medical Center we have:

• 01Surgery by a veterinarian who has completed THR certification training
• 02A dedicated, experienced THR surgical team
• 03Advanced THR workshop training
• 04Implant systems from BioMedtrix (large dogs) and Vetmaster (small dogs)
• 05Sterile operating rooms built to the standard for high-risk human operating rooms

Together with our experience in THR surgery, these help us reduce surgical risk and aim for a successful outcome.

Fractures in dogs and cats from falls and traffic accidents vary in difficulty depending on their location and severity. We perform a range of fracture surgery: forelimb fractures, comminuted fractures (bone broken into several pieces), multiple fractures involving areas such as the pelvis and shoulder, and non-unions (bones that did not heal properly after surgery).

• 01CT-based 3D-printed surgical simulation The more complex the fracture, the more important it is to restore the exact angle and length of the bone. We print a 3D model from CT data, pre-contour the plates and rehearse the repair before surgery, to improve precision, shorten operating time and help make surgery safer.
• 02Minimally invasive fracture repair Interlocking nails and similar implants help limit damage to bone and surrounding muscle; arthrodesis (joint fusion) is used where the injury requires it.
• 03BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) Promotes bone formation and supports stable bone healing.

Neurological disease in dogs and cats can lead to nerve damage if treatment is delayed, so prompt diagnosis and treatment are important. With 1.5T MRI, detailed image reading by veterinarians trained in diagnostic imaging and a team-based surgical system, we diagnose and operate on disc disease, hydrocephalus, atlantoaxial instability (AAI), caudal occipital malformation syndrome (COMS, also called Chiari-like malformation), and brain and spinal cord tumors.

In neurosurgery we use the Sonopet ultrasonic aspirator to operate more precisely while limiting damage to nerve tissue, and after surgery a rehabilitation program — acupuncture, laser therapy and underwater treadmill — helps restore nerve function and the ability to walk.

Intervertebral disc herniation

A herniated disc presses on the spinal cord and can occur in the neck, back or lower back. In acute spinal cord injury, delay can mean permanent paralysis — so emergency surgery is sometimes needed.

After a neurological examination and MRI to establish an accurate diagnosis, we plan treatment — surgery, medication or non-surgical rehabilitation — and 24/7 Emergency Surgery at our Ulsan hospital helps emergency patients receive timely treatment.

COMS (Chiari-like malformation) · atlantoaxial instability (AAI) · complex lesions

Beyond COMS and AAI, which are common in small breeds, MRI-based localization helps us identify the actual cause of signs in complex cases where several lesions — disc disease, atlantoaxial (AA) band, syringomyelia — coexist, and plan treatment accordingly.

For AAI stabilization we build a CT-based 3D-printed model to analyze the anatomy before surgery and plan the exact fixation points.