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Frequently Asked Questions
This page was last updated Friday, February 15, 2008
TPLO,
Pelvic Osteotomy, DARthroplasty,
Joint
Hinge, Policy
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Q.
What is a biradial saw blade?
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A.
The biradial saw blade has the same radius on
its inner edge and its outer edge. Because the inner and outer
diameter is matched, the two surfaces of the osteotomy will fit back together
perfectly.
This bone to bone contact provides greater stability and promotes faster
bone healing. More
Info...
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Q.
How often are TPLO courses held and what is the cost of the TPLO course?
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A.
Our 2007 TPLO courses are being organized at this time and are offered to licensed
veterinarians. This does not include hotel accommodations or other travel
expenses. If you have already contacted us to attend a TPLO course and
your address or phone number has changed, call S. Hanna, the course
coordinator to update your contact information.
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Q.
What is the effect of malalignment of the limb?
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A.
When a limb is malaligned the forces generated by use are transmitted unevenly
through the joint causing irregular cartilage wear and stress to the
supporting ligaments.
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Q.
Does the TPLO procedure cause more bowing of the leg?
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A.
No. The TPLO is used for the correction of malalignment. However,
if increase bowing occurs after TPLO this may be a result of osteotomy
placement, jig placement, or fibular fracture. This can be addressed
with additional surgery if required.
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Q.
Why is it important to use a jig during the TPLO procedure?
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A.
The purpose of the jig is to maintain alignment during the TPLO surgery and
allows for corrections in abnormal torsion and varus/valgus conformations in
the tibia. Failure to use the jig creates the potential for malalignment
caused by the surgeon.
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Q.
Does a veterinarian need to be board certified to perform the TPLO
technique?
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A.
No, veterinarians do not have to be board certified (ACVS) to perform the TPLO
technique. We do recommend that they attend a SE TPLO course to be certified to
perform the procedure. For more information regarding TPLO courses and
certification, please contact Slocum Enterprises, Inc.
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Q.
Is the Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy (CCWO) the same as the TPLO?
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A.
Yes, in theory, however, the CCWO straightens the leg, and multiple jigs are
necessary for each of the different angles. In addition, the conformation
of the animal's leg is altered which would prevent dogs from reentering the
show ring. If the dog has a crouched posture or has excessive tibial
plateau slope, the CCWO can be used in conjunction with the TPLO.
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Q.
Should I cut the fibula in those hard to rotate TPLO cases?
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A.
The fibula provides necessary stability to the tibia during healing. If
the fibula is cut or broken, it should be repaired with an external fixator or
small IM pins.
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Q. Can
the oscillating saw be steam autoclaved?
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A. The
pneumatic oscillating saw can be steam sterilized.
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Method:
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Gravity Displacement System |
Vacuum Steam Autoclave |
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Temperature:
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121° C / 250° F |
134° C / 273° F
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Time:
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35 minutes |
3 - 3.5 minutes
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Q. How
many times can the biradial saw blade be used before it needs to be replaced?
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A. With
proper care the biradial saw blade can be used for many years. We
recommend that the blade be sharpened after every use with the Biradial
Saw Blade Sharpener to maintain teeth edge. In addition, once a year
the blade can be sent in to be reground. For information regarding
regrinding, please contact Slocum Enterprises, Inc., and one of our customer service
representatives will be happy to help you.
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Q.
What size screw driver is needed for the set screws in the TPLO jig?
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A.
The set screws for the TPLO jig as well as the blade adaptor for the
oscillating saw take a 2.5mm hex screwdriver.
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Q.
What size pins does the TPLO jig take?
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A.
The standard TPLO jig takes 1/8 pins, while the small TPLO jig takes 3/32 pins.
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Q.
Occasionally I have difficulty rotating the tibial plateau after completing the cut, why does this sometimes occur?
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A.
When there is difficulty rotating the tibial plateau, causative factors may be
jig pin placement, blade position, osteotomy direction, fibular length,
and chronicity of rupture.
Related Articles:
[top
of page]
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Q. What
angles do the Pelvic Osteotomy plates come in?
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A. The
Pelvic Osteotomy plates come in right and left sides of 20, 30, and 40
degrees. The amount of rotation required should be determined by the slope
of the dorsal acetabular rim of the individual patient.
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Q. What
material are the Pelvic Osteotomy plates made from?
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A. As
with all of our implants, the Pelvic Osteotomy plates are made from 316L
stainless steel.
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Q.
What are the benefits of using one of your Pelvic Osteotomy plates over using a
straight plate that is bent at the time of surgery?
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A.
In addition to the convenience and time saved during surgery, our prebent Pelvic
Osteotomy plates provide more stability to the osteotomy site which promotes
faster healing and less risk of complication.
Related Articles:
[top
of page]
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Q. At
what stage in the process of hip dysplasia is a DARthroplasty contraindicated?
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A. A
DARthroplasty can be performed on a hip as long as the articular cartilage is
still intact. Once the cartilage has been destroyed, a DARthroplasty is no
longer the best option for the patient.
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Q. One
of my patients had a DARthroplasty performed by another surgeon. The
ventrodorsal radiograph of the hips appear to have excessive osteophytes and
degeneration. Is this normal?
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A. On
a radiograph the
bone graft placed over the dorsal acetabular rim is often mistaken as
osteophytes by those unfamiliar with the DARthroplasty technique. This
bone graft, which is extra-articular, provides the support for the femoral
head, and allows the dog pain free function. The extra bony growth is the normal
appearance of the hip following the DARthroplasty surgery. The patient
should be pain free, and able to run, and play without limitation. If the
patient is experiencing
discomfort, they should be referred back to the surgeon
who performed the surgery, or another surgeon who is familiar with the
DARthroplasty technique so that the hips can be accurately evaluated.
Related Articles:
[top
of page]
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Q.
For what types of injury would I use the joint hinge?
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A.
The Slocum® Joint Hinge is useful for shearing injuries of the hock, hock and
elbow dislocations, stifle derangement, physeal fractures or any injury where
prolonged immobility of the affected joint is best avoided.
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Q.
I want to immobilize the joint during the first weeks of healing, is a second surgery
necessary to place the joint hinge after that time?
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A.
No. The Slocum® Joint Hinge can be placed at the time of the initial
surgery and a cross bar can be added to immobilize the hinge and joint. The
cross bar can then be removed after the first few weeks of soft tissue healing
without additional surgery.
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Q.
What is the correct placement of the joint hinge?
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A. When
placing the Slocum® Joint Hinge the hinge must be placed over the center
of motion of the joint. The hinge comes with detailed
instructions as to placement.
Related articles:
[top
of page]
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Q.
How do I set up an account with Slocum Enterprises, Inc. to order products?
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A.
Simply contact our office at (800) 346-5489 or (541) 689-8441, and speak to one
of our sales representatives. Alternatively, fax your request to our
office at (541) 689-1448 and one of our sales representatives will contact you
to set up an account. Our products are available to or on the order of a
licensed veterinarian.
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Q.
What is the availability of your products and how soon can I get them after I
place an order?
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A.
Most of our products are shipped within 24 hours, or on the next business day. There are
several shipping options which can be discussed with one of our sales
representatives at the time an order is placed.
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Q.
What is your policy on returns?
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A.
Our returns policy is as follows:
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Call Slocum Enterprises, Inc. at (800)
346-5489 or (541) 689-8441 to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) number. |
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Clearly mark the package with the
RA number, and ship to,
Slocum Enterprises, Inc.
Attn. Returns Department
621 River Avenue
Eugene, OR 97404
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Products may be returned for
credit within 90 days of invoice date provided they are unused and still in their
original packaging. |
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Saw blades may be returned for
credit within 30 days of invoice date provided they are still in their
original packaging. |
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Media items such as VHS, CD, or DVD
can only be exchanged if there is a materials defect for an identical item
of the same format within seven days of invoice date. |
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Special Order items may not be
returned under any circumstances. |
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A Return Authorization number and
a copy of the invoice or packing slip must accompany all returns. |
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Returns are subject to a minimum
restocking charge of 15%. All returns must come directly from the
customer. |
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Credit will only be issued upon
Slocum Enterprises, Inc.'s determination of acceptable condition. |
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Q.
Are your products shipped sterile?
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A.
No. Our products will need to
be sterilized prior to implantation or use in surgery.
[top
of page]
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Slocum
Enterprises,
Inc.