Orthopedic Surgery

Our Services

The Orthopedic service at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center at Dublin offers comprehensive surgical and non-surgical care for dogs and cats with orthopedic conditions. Our Dublin hospital provides the same advanced level of orthopedic service offered through our campus location, plus ease of access and ample, free parking. All procedures and surgeries are performed on-site in Dublin, with the exception of hip replacement surgery. All total hip replacement surgeries occur at our campus location. Learn more about total hip replacement here. 

To schedule an appointment and consultation with one of our board-certiifed, faculty clinicians please call (614) 292-3551. 

Highlights of our orthopedic service include: 

  • Board-certified specialists in orthopedic surgery
  • Lameness diagnosis and treatment
  • Trauma care
  • Non-emergent orthopedic surgery (cranial cruciate ligament rupture, medial patellar luxation)
  • Limb deformity
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Arthroscopy
  • Orthopedic revision surgery
  • Sports medicine
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Regenerative medicine

What to Expect

The Orthopedic service is under the direction of an attending faculty surgeon or chief surgical resident. Surgical residents, registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants complete the service complement. Please check in at the reception desk upon arrival. If applicable, please bring a letter of referral from your veterinarian and any relevant medical records, radiographs or clinical pathology results.

A registered veterinary technician will take a complete medical history from you. Your dog or cat will then undergo a preliminary examination. After this, the attending surgeon will review history and physical examination findings with you and formulate a plan for further diagnosis. For example, if radiography or ultrasound examinations are necessary, mild sedation may be required and imaging will be performed within 3-4 hours. You will be invited to return to review the results of these and other tests, and to discuss options for medical or surgical management. In general, more invasive diagnostic procedures such as biopsy and advanced imaging are scheduled on the following day. 

As you will understand, patients with life threatening conditions in need of immediate surgical care will take priority and this can delay your consultation. We ask for your patience and promise that we will strive to make your visit a helpful and satisfying experience.

Special Equipment & Technology

  • Radiography
  • Diagnostic ultrasound
  • Computed Tomography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Columbus location)
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Comprehensive fracture repair instrumentation
  • Arthroscopy

Clinical Trials

The Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery service is often recruiting patients for a number of studies for which your pet may be eligible. If you have any questions regarding your pet's eligibility, please contact the Clinical Trials Office (cvm-clinicaltrials@osu.edu).

Appointments & Hours

  • 8am – 5pm Monday - Friday
  • Patient visits by appointment only.
  • For an appointment: (614) 292-3551
  • After-hour emergencies: (614) 292-3551​

Clinicians

  • Ryan Butler, DVM, DACVS, MS, Associate Professor-Clinical, Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery

Residents

Practice Manager

Joanne Fleming, RVT

Veterinary Technicians

  • Karlissa Osborn, RVT, Supervisor
  • Amber Blevins, RVT
  • Kiffy Brickey, RVT
  • Billie Garbers, RVT
  • Mary Mette, RVT
  • Robin Pollard, RVT
  • Deborah Vogt, RVT

Veterinary Assistants

  • Rachel Baker
  • Caroline Gandee
  • Taylor Long
  • Andrea Muncy
  • Wyanna Schalk