Right Hock Arthrodesis

During the last week (Monday 15th of June - Friday 19th of June) I have been partaking in work experience at Hampden Veterinary Surgery. One of the most complex and interesting operations i was able to was a Hock Arthrodesis. Despite the veterinary surgeon trying to explain the process of the operation to me i was still a little unsure so 

wrote down the name and did a bit of research. 

A metal plate similar to
that used in the surgery
I observed

The Hock is the joint in the ankle whilst Arthrodesis is the surgical fusion of a joint. The cat in question that this procedure was being performed on had most probably been hit by a car, its joint had been knocked out of place and broken. The veterinary surgeon planted a metal plate along the broken joint screwing it into place at a 120 degree angle. Unfortunately the cat would never be able to move this ankle again however it would be in no pain and the presence of the leg would allow for better balance and ease of walking as opposed to simply amputating the leg. 

During my research I learnt the names of many joints in the skeleton:

The Hock Joint - in the ankle

The Stifle Joint - in the knee

The Digit Joint - in the toe

The Carpal Joint - in the wrist

The Synovial ball and socket joint in the hip is the main joint in ones body that cannot be Arthrodesed. However this is not usually seen as a major issue as hip joints can be replaced, as can elbow and knee joints as an alternative to arthrodesis.