Total Joint Replacement Australia’s Most Advanced Joint Replacement Team
MARS and GARS proudly offer partial and total joint replacement surgery for dogs, as well as resurfacing, with an exceptionally low complication rate thanks to our expert surgical team.
Joint replacement for dogs & cats in Melbourne
Pets depend on healthy joints to stay active and mobile, run, play, and enjoy a good quality of life. When a pet develops joint disease, they can quickly go from a happy dog or cat to pain and discomfort.
Joint disease occurs when cartilage is damaged, whether from arthritis, trauma, infection, tumours, deformities, or growth abnormalities. Causes vary widely, but all reduce a pet’s quality of life.
Cartilage helps joints move smoothly and comfortably. When cartilage is lost, pets can experience chronic pain, including limping and altered movement. Over time, this can lead to reduced mobility, reduced activity, weight gain and, in some cases, a shorter life span (Keeley JAVMA 1999).
At MARS, our specialist orthopaedic team provides services for pets who may benefit from joint replacement surgery for dogs & cats.
What is joint replacement surgery?
Joint replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces part or all of a diseased joint with durable, long-lasting synthetic material designed to last a pet’s lifetime. These implants often include a titanium base with a bearing surface made from cobalt-chrome, stainless steel, or ceramic, working against high-molecular-weight polyethylene. The materials are selected because they are strong, reliable and designed to move in a way that helps restore comfort and mobility.
Joint replacements can be partial or total, depending on the joint affected and the level of disease, and aim to reduce pain and improve movement by replacing diseased joint tissue with synthetic materials that mimic cartilage properties. This significantly improves a pet’s quality of life, helping them return to regular activities without discomfort.
Joint replacement may be considered for several joints, including the:
- Hip
- Elbow
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Ankle
A dog total hip replacement is one of the better-known procedures, but each patient requires an individual assessment to determine the most appropriate treatment pathway.
When may a pet benefit from joint replacement?
How do you know when it’s time to look into a joint replacement? If your pet has been diagnosed with joint disease, they may be a suitable candidate if they’re exhibiting signs of reduced mobility or ongoing pain.
This could look like:
- Reduced tolerance for exercise
- Intermittent or persistent limping (may only limp in the morning, after rest or during activity)
- Difficulty jumping onto furniture, climbing stairs, getting into the car
- Holding paw off the ground
- Toe touching when standing or walking
Joint replacement may be considered as an alternative to chronic medication use when medical management is no longer effective, or your pet has adverse reactions. Whilst pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or gabapentin can be excellent options for short-term management, they are not a long-term solution. Using these for extended periods of time risks serious side effects, like gastrointestinal ulceration, kidney disease, liver disease, and even significant behavioural problems.
For dogs with advanced hip disease, a canine total hip replacement may be considered when conservative management no longer provides adequate relief.
Your joint replacement consultation at MARS
Your pet’s pathway begins with a specialist orthopaedic consultation at our Mitcham hospital, where an experienced veterinary orthopaedic surgeon can assess their condition & discuss appropriate treatment options.
During the consultation, our team will review your pet’s medical history, current symptoms, previous imaging & response to any treatments already trialled.
We may recommend further diagnostic imaging to assess the affected joint in detail. This may include digital radiographs or other advanced CT imaging, as needed.
Our specialists will discuss:
- The cause of your pet’s joint pain
- Whether joint replacement may be appropriate
- Alternative treatment options
- The expected benefits & possible risks
- The recommended next steps
- What to expect if surgery is advised
This gives pet owners a clear treatment plan before proceeding with surgery.
What factors influence joint replacement outcomes?
The success of a joint replacement depends on both the surgeon performing the procedure and the patient.
Factors that will be considered regarding the patient are:
- Weight – obesity can impact successful outcome
- Prior surgery – if your pet has had surgery before, this should be discussed with your surgeon
- Age – joint replacements have been safely performed in patients from 6 months to 13 years of age
- Specific joint being replaced
- Underlying cause of joint disease
These factors, along with other patient variables, help determine the most appropriate surgical approach and recovery plan, and are discussed in depth with the surgeon before the procedure.
From a surgical perspective, experience, skill, training and, most importantly, case volume per annum are the key determinants of achieving successful outcomes in both animal and human joint replacements. The MARS/GARS joint replacement surgical team has the highest volume of joint replacement & resurfacing procedures in the country, meaning they perform a significant number of joint replacement procedures.
The MARS/GARS surgical support team also plays an important role. The scrub assistants and nurses must be experienced to help reduce complications. The GARS surgical team comprises qualified, experienced vets and veterinary nurses dedicated to exceptional patient care and positive surgical outcomes.
Successful joint replacement requires a lead surgeon with years of specialised training and high-volume joint replacement surgery experience, supported by a truly exceptional, highly trained joint replacement team. You should not hesitate to ask about a surgeon’s experience, case volume and complication rate when considering joint replacement surgery for your pet.
Our joint replacement surgeons
What to expect after joint replacement surgery
Recovery will depend on the joint replaced, the procedure performed & your pet’s individual needs. Most pets require a structured period of rest, controlled activity & follow-up care after surgery.
Your pet’s recovery plan may include:
- A short hospital stay after surgery
- Pain relief & other medications
- Restricted activity during the initial recovery period
- Leash-only walking
- A crate or small room with non-slip flooring
- Follow-up imaging
- Physiotherapy or hydrotherapy where recommended
The team will provide clear post-operative instructions based on your pet’s procedure & recovery needs.
Hip replacement surgery for dogs
A hip replacement in dogs may be considered when hip disease causes significant pain, stiffness or reduced mobility.
Dogs with advanced hip dysplasia, arthritis, trauma or other joint abnormalities may experience ongoing discomfort that affects their ability to walk, play or move comfortably. In selected cases, hip dysplasia surgery for dogs may involve total hip replacement when other treatment options no longer provide adequate relief.
A dog hip replacement involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with synthetic components designed to restore smoother, more comfortable movement.
A specialist consultation with an orthopaedic vet in Melbourne, accessible through MARS, can help determine whether a dog total hip replacement is appropriate for your pet or whether another treatment pathway is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my pet too old or too young to have joint replacement surgery?
Why choose MARS/GARS for joint replacement surgery?
We offer the most experienced joint replacement team in the country, with the highest joint replacement and joint resurfacing case volume in Australia, and one of the highest volumes in the world.
We are the only hospital in Australia to offer and perform total and/or partial joint replacements of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle, as well as the first centre in Australia to perform TATE3 Total Elbow Replacements and Total Ankle Replacements.
We proudly maintain an average joint replacement and resurfacing success rate of above 95% (compared to the industry standard of 70%-95%), meaning more than 95 out of 100 joint replacements performed by our team will have a successful outcome.
Our industry-leading extremely low complication rate is due to the calibre of our surgeons, who have conducted and published research on joint replacements and undergone extensive further training and accreditation in joint replacement and resurfacing surgery. Our surgeons have also mentored other joint replacement surgeons across Australia to help improve outcomes.
This combination of experience, case volume, research, and ongoing surgical development makes the MARS/GARS joint replacement service one of the most established in Australia.
Why has my regular vet or a specialist centre referred me to MARS or GARS for a joint replacement?
Can I come to MARS or GARS for a second opinion?
Yes, we offer a second opinion service for all primary, revision, or secondary joint replacements. If your pet has been to another specialist centre and you would like a second opinion for peace of mind, please don’t hesitate to contact us – you do not need a referral to see us for a second opinion.
What is recovery like after a joint replacement?
Most pets that undergo joint replacement, whether partial or total, are putting weight on the limb within 1 to 2 days. Elbow replacements are the exception and can take weeks before pets put consistent, good weight through the leg.
By 6 weeks, implants are stable, and patients generally return to normal, unrestricted activity from 6 to 8 weeks following surgery. We strongly recommend repeat radiographs at the 6 to 8 week mark to ensure everything is as it should be. This can be done at your regular vet, who can send the radiographs to us, or with us.
Total Elbow and Total Ankle replacements have a soft padded bandage placed for 4 to 7 days following surgery. Hip, Knee and Shoulder replacements or resurfacing have a sticky dressing placed for 3 days, with no bandaging. All pets must wear a cone or inflatable collar for 2 weeks following surgery.
What post-operative medications will my pet need?
Post-operative medications usually include anti-inflammatories for 2 weeks, Gabapentin for 2 to 4 weeks, sedatives for 2 to 4 weeks and antibiotics for 1 week. We’ll discuss your pet’s medication plan with you before they go home, so you know exactly what is required during recovery.
What post-operative exercise is required after my pet’s joint replacement surgery?
All cases must be walked on a leash for 6 to 8 weeks following surgery. Strictly no off-leash activity is allowed for 6 weeks following surgery.
For hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle replacements, pets usually start with 5-minute walks twice daily. Each week, add 5 minutes to the walk duration until they are doing 30-minute walks twice daily. For elbow replacements, pets should have 5-minute walks three times daily for the first 3 weeks, then build by adding 5 minutes weekly.
Is physiotherapy or hydrotherapy recommended after my pet’s joint replacement surgery?
Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy can be extremely beneficial after joint replacement or resurfacing and can begin from week 3 after surgery. We recommend it for all Total Elbow Joint Replacements and consider it an essential tool in these cases.
Other joint replacements or resurfacing procedures often don’t require physiotherapy or hydrotherapy, but we still support its use if you would like to include it in your pet’s recovery.
How long will my pet be in hospital after a joint replacement surgery?
Partial joint replacements, Total Hip Replacements and Total Ankle Replacements usually require 1 night in hospital. Total Elbow Replacements usually require 1 to 2 nights in hospital.
We regularly have joint replacement patients travel from South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales, with occasional patients from other states and territories. For interstate cases, and for any other patients who request it, we offer longer hospitalisation for peace of mind and to help facilitate travel.
Do I need to take time off work for my pet’s joint replacement surgery?
Time off work is typically not required. Pets usually stay in hospital for 1 night, or up to 2 nights for elbow replacements, which helps support their immediate post-operative recovery before they return home.
What sort of confinement is recommended at home after joint replacement surgery?
Confinement at home is critical following joint replacement surgery. This usually means a crate or small room with non-slip surfaces and nothing your pet can jump on. This helps protect the surgical site, supports implant stability and reduces the risk of complications during the early recovery period.
What if two joints need replacing? How long between surgeries?
It is very common for pets to have both hips, both elbows or both ankles replaced. These are typically performed 6 or more weeks apart, with the average timing around 6 months following the first surgery.
Refer Online Today
Does your patient require specialist assessment for ongoing joint pain or reduced mobility?
Our Melbourne-based orthopaedic team provides specialist consultations for pets who may benefit from joint replacement surgery for dogs & cats.
Better movement supports a better quality of life.