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Orthopedic

Grace Animal Hospital veterinarian examining golden Labrador dog in exam room

When your dog stops racing to the door or your cat no longer jumps to their favorite spot, something is wrong. Limping, stiffness after rest, reluctance to climb stairs, and yelping when touched can all point to an orthopedic condition, and the sooner it is identified, the better the outcome can be. Bone and joint problems in pets can worsen quickly without proper care, and many owners are surprised to learn that conditions like torn ligaments or hip dysplasia may be causing their pet significant daily pain long before the signs become obvious.

At Grace Animal Hospital in Holly Springs, we bring advanced orthopedic care directly to your pet’s community. Our team is passionate about helping your pet move comfortably and live fully, and we take a conservative, thoughtful approach to every case. We partner with Tarheel Veterinary Surgical Specialists to perform complex orthopedic procedures right here in our facility, meaning your family does not have to travel to a specialty center for the surgical care your pet needs. As our full services page shows, orthopedic surgery is one part of a comprehensive surgical program built around doing more for your pet in one trusted place.

5.0★
Highest Google Rating in the Market
7 Days
Open Every Day Including Sunday Urgent Care
In-House
Board-Certified Surgical Specialist Access On-Site
Walk-Ins
Accepted Every Day — No Appointment Required

Common Orthopedic Conditions We Treat

Orthopedics is the branch of veterinary medicine focused on the bones, joints, ligaments, and musculoskeletal system. When something goes wrong in this system, it can range from a mild strain to a complex structural failure that requires surgical correction. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, osteoarthritis is one of the most commonly underdiagnosed sources of pain in pets, and many dogs are affected from a younger age than owners realize.

At Grace Animal Hospital, our team evaluates and manages a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including:

CCL Tears
Cranial cruciate ligament ruptures, including TPLO and extracapsular repair options.
Hip Dysplasia
Treated with conservative management or femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO).
Patellar Luxation
Slipping kneecap in dogs and cats, graded and treated based on severity.
Fracture Repair
Bone stabilization and repair for injuries from trauma or disease-related fragility.
Arthritis & Joint Disease
Degenerative joint conditions managed with both medical and surgical approaches.
Elbow Dysplasia
Developmental elbow joint conditions common in larger breed dogs.
Spinal Disc Disease
Intervertebral disc disease and back pain evaluated and treated from mild to complex.
Joint Instability
Dislocations and chronic instability in shoulders, hips, and other joints.

How We Diagnose Orthopedic Issues

A thorough diagnosis is the foundation of every orthopedic case we handle. Our team works through a structured process to identify the exact source of your pet’s discomfort before recommending any treatment path.

1
Physical Exam
Our team evaluates your pet’s posture, gait, range of motion, and pain response in each affected area.
2
Digital Radiology
On-site digital X-rays capture bone and joint detail to identify fractures, irregularities, and degeneration.
3
Ultrasound
Our veterinary ultrasound provides soft tissue imaging when X-rays alone don’t tell the full picture.
4
In-House Lab
Our diagnostic lab provides pre-surgical bloodwork and health panels on-site, fast.
Two Grace Animal Hospital veterinarians examining tan Labrador during checkup

Our Approach to Orthopedic Surgery

Once a diagnosis is confirmed, we develop a customized treatment plan based on your pet’s condition, size, age, activity level, and overall health. Not every orthopedic issue requires surgery. When appropriate, we may recommend pain management, joint supplements, lifestyle modifications, and a course of rest and monitoring. When surgery is the right path, we are fully equipped to handle it with precision and care.

For advanced procedures such as TPLO, FHO, and fracture repair, we collaborate directly with Tarheel Veterinary Surgical Specialists, who perform these surgeries in our facility. This partnership means your pet receives board-certified surgical expertise without the stress of being transferred to an unfamiliar environment. Our team handles anesthesia, monitoring, and post-operative care, and we walk alongside your family every step of the way. Our low-stress, gentle handling approach carries through the entire surgical experience, from the moment your pet arrives to their final recovery check. If your pet is dealing with other surgical concerns alongside orthopedic issues, our soft tissue surgery team handles those needs with the same level of care and coordination.

What to Watch For and What to Do

Many pet owners wait longer than they should to seek orthopedic care because the signs can appear gradually. If you notice any of the following, schedule an evaluation promptly rather than waiting to see if the issue resolves on its own:

Limping or favoring one leg, even intermittently
Difficulty rising from rest, especially in the morning
Swollen or warm joints
Crying or flinching when touched in a specific area
Reluctance to run, jump, or use stairs
Muscle loss in one limb compared to the other
A change in your pet’s normal posture or gait

Early evaluation leads to more treatment options and can reduce the likelihood of long-term joint damage.

Is Your Pet Showing Signs of Joint Pain?
Our team at Grace Animal Hospital is open 6 days a week and accepts walk-ins. Get your pet evaluated today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Orthopedic Care

What is the recovery time after orthopedic surgery in pets? +
Recovery varies significantly depending on the procedure. A TPLO, for example, typically involves 8 to 12 weeks of restricted activity with a gradual return to normal movement. Simpler procedures may have shorter recovery periods. Our team provides detailed discharge instructions and a follow-up plan tailored to your pet’s specific surgery and progress.
Can my pet live with an orthopedic condition without surgery? +
In some cases, yes. Mild joint disease, early-stage arthritis, and certain patellar luxation grades can be managed with medications, weight management, and activity modifications. We take a conservative treatment approach and will recommend surgery only when it is the most appropriate path forward for your pet’s quality of life.
How do I know if my pet’s limping is serious? +
Any limping that persists beyond 24 to 48 hours, is accompanied by swelling or visible pain, or prevents your pet from bearing weight at all warrants a same-day or urgent care visit. Our team is open six days a week and accepts walk-in appointments, so you do not have to wait for a Monday morning opening to get your pet seen.
Does Grace Animal Hospital accept pet insurance for orthopedic procedures? +
Yes, we accept most pet insurance plans. We also offer CareCredit and Cherry financing to help make orthopedic care accessible for your family. Learn more about our pet financing options.
What is the difference between a CCL tear and an ACL tear? +
In dogs and cats, the equivalent of the human ACL is called the cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL. A CCL tear is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs and can range from a partial to a complete rupture, both of which we are equipped to evaluate and treat.

Orthopedic Care That Comes With the Full Grace Experience

Grace Animal Hospital was built on a simple belief: every pet deserves to feel well taken care of, and every family deserves a veterinary team they can trust for life. Visit our meet the team page to learn about the compassionate professionals who make that possible every day. We are locally owned, family-oriented, and committed to the kind of long-term relationship that means we know your pet as an individual, not just a case number. With a 5.0-star Google rating, the highest in our market, and a full surgical program that includes cancer surgery and internal surgery alongside orthopedics, we have built our practice around doing more for your pet under one roof.

If your pet is showing signs of pain, limping, or joint trouble, do not wait to find out what is happening. Book your appointment with our team today, and let us help your pet get back to living comfortably.

October Special · 20% Off

Complete Dental Package

Must be scheduled within the month of October.

Dogs

$496

Cats

$399

Package Includes

Exam

Pre-anesthetic blood work

Sedation + anesthesia

Scaling

Polishing

Full mouth dental X-rays

Not Included

Extractions

Pain medications or antibiotics (if needed)

Add-ons: nail trims, vaccines, nausea medication, etc.

Offer valid for dental procedures scheduled during October. Extractions, medications, and add-ons are billed separately if needed.

October Dental Special

Save 20% on a Healthy Smile

A full dental cleaning with exam, X-rays & anesthesia included. Book before October ends.

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