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Animal Orthopaedic Clinic of Florida (AOCF) is a veterinary specialty practice focused exclusively on orthopaedic surgery for dogs and cats. The clinic is located in Gainesville, Florida, and serves pets with both common injuries and complex musculoskeletal conditions.
The practice emphasizes prompt service, clear communication, and care led by highly trained surgeons. AOCF highlights high-level qualifications, a purpose-built orthopaedic facility, an international reputation for teaching and research, a compassionate approach to recovery, and a fair, consistent fee structure.
Services – Overview
AOCF provides comprehensive orthopaedic surgical care, from routine cruciate ligament surgery to advanced joint replacement and complex fracture repair. Patients are evaluated individually so that diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation can be tailored to their specific condition and lifestyle.
Services are organized by joint (hips, stifle, tarsus, shoulder, elbow, carpus), by trauma category (fractures and complex injuries), and by specific procedures such as total joint replacement, TPLO, limb deformity correction, and treatment of muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries.
Hips
The hip service focuses on conditions such as hip dysplasia, hip luxation or dislocation, hip fractures, and advanced arthritis of the hip joint. Treatment options range from medical management to procedures like juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS), double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO), femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO), and total hip replacement, depending on the age, size, and needs of the patient.
Stifle (Knee)
Stifle services address cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease and rupture, meniscal injuries, and other causes of knee pain and instability. Many patients benefit from Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) or other stabilization techniques, with the goal of restoring comfortable, long-term limb function and limiting arthritis progression.
Tarsus (Hock, Ankle)
Tarsal services focus on injuries and diseases of the hock, including sprains, ligament injuries, fractures, and degenerative joint disease. Surgical options may include joint stabilization, partial or complete arthrodesis (joint fusion), and minimally invasive fracture repair when appropriate.
Shoulder
Shoulder services address conditions like osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), biceps tendon disease, shoulder instability, and trauma involving the shoulder joint. Treatment options can include arthroscopic surgery, soft-tissue stabilization procedures, and targeted rehabilitation to restore comfort and range of motion.
Elbow
Elbow services typically focus on elbow dysplasia and related problems, including fragmented coronoid process, ununited anconeal process, and osteoarthritis of the elbow joint. Care may involve advanced imaging, arthroscopic surgery, and corrective procedures for deformities or fractures involving the elbow.
Carpus (Wrist)
Carpal services manage injuries such as carpal hyperextension, ligament tears, and fractures affecting the wrist region. Treatment often involves arthrodesis (joint fusion), either partial or pancarpal, to restore stability and allow comfortable weight-bearing, along with appropriate postoperative support.
Fractures & Trauma
The fracture and trauma service treats a wide range of broken bones, from low-impact fractures in small dogs and cats to high-energy injuries with significant soft tissue damage. Treatment options include splinting or casting for select cases, as well as surgical stabilization with plates and screws, pins, interlocking nails, or external fixators. Care is guided by fracture type, location, displacement, and the overall condition of the patient.
Total Joint Replacement
AOCF offers total joint replacement, with particular emphasis on total hip replacement for dogs with painful, end-stage hip disease. These procedures are designed to restore comfort and function when other treatment options are no longer effective. Case selection, implant choice, and surgical planning are tailored to each patient.
Muscle and Tendon Injury
Muscle and tendon services cover injuries such as Achilles tendon rupture, biceps tendon disorders, and other soft-tissue injuries that impair limb function. Treatment may include surgical repair or reconstruction, advanced fixation techniques, and carefully structured rehabilitation plans to support healing and restore strength.
Dislocations and Ligament Injury
This service manages joint dislocations (luxations) and ligament disruptions that destabilize joints such as the hip, elbow, carpus, and others. Treatment options range from closed reduction and splinting to open surgical reconstruction, use of implants or sutures for stabilization, and salvage procedures like joint replacement or fusion when necessary.
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
TPLO is a specialized surgery for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in dogs. By changing the angle of the tibial plateau, the procedure stabilizes the stifle without relying on the damaged ligament. AOCF has extensive experience with TPLO, including advanced imaging, arthroscopic joint evaluation, and careful postoperative follow-up to support recovery.
Limb Deformities
Limb deformity services address bones that grow or heal abnormally, leading to twisting, angulation, or shortening of a limb. Advanced imaging and 3D planning can be used to design corrective osteotomies, where bones are precisely cut, realigned, and stabilized with plates, screws, or external frames to restore more normal alignment and function.
About Animal Orthopaedic Clinic of Florida
AOCF is built around a single purpose: providing the highest level of veterinary orthopaedic care using a model similar to leading human specialty centers. The clinic focuses exclusively on orthopaedic surgery and integrates clinical care, research, and teaching to continually advance outcomes for patients.
Care at AOCF is led by Dr. Stanley Kim, a board-certified veterinary surgeon with extensive experience in joint replacement, cranial cruciate ligament surgery, minimally invasive fracture repair, and 3D surgical planning. He has held academic leadership roles and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in small animal orthopaedics.
The facility is a dedicated orthopaedic surgical center, designed with specialized air handling, imaging, and surgical workflow to support safety, sterility, and efficiency throughout each patient’s stay.
Research
Research is woven into daily practice at AOCF. The clinic contributes to clinical studies and innovation in areas such as joint replacement, TPLO techniques, fracture repair, and novel implants or biologic therapies. Participation in research is always voluntary and does not change the standard of care offered to any patient.
Current and planned projects include work on hip replacement systems, biologic therapies for joint disease, and improved implant designs or techniques for orthopaedic surgery. These efforts help refine best practices in veterinary orthopaedics and inform surgeons worldwide.
Referrals
AOCF works closely with primary care veterinarians to provide specialty orthopaedic services. Referring veterinarians can reach the clinic by phone, email, or an online referral form. Collaboration focuses on clear communication, timely consultation, and coordinated follow-up.
The clinic provides phone consultations on orthopaedic cases, written summaries after visits or procedures, and direct access to the surgeon for questions. Non-orthopaedic conditions remain under the care of the primary veterinarian, and discharge instructions emphasize the ongoing role of the referring clinic.
Referral contact:
Phone: 352-642-9838
Email: info@animalorthoclinic.com
Referral form: Referrals page with online form
Careers
The Careers page invites people who are interested in joining a highly focused orthopaedic specialty center. AOCF is building a team that combines the mission-driven spirit of academic medicine with the responsiveness of private practice, and welcomes interest from technicians, assistants, front-desk staff, and other support roles.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to send a CV and introduction through an online form so the clinic can connect as positions and needs develop.
Contact
Clinic name: Animal Orthopaedic Clinic of Florida
Phone: 352-642-9838
Email: info@animalorthoclinic.com
Address: 7314 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608
For appointments, questions about your pet’s condition, or directions to the clinic, you can call the main number during business hours or use the contact form on the standard Contact page.