Draft:British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association (BVOA)

The British Veterinary Orthopaedic Association (BVOA) is a UK-based professional organisation that focuses on advancing the field of veterinary orthopaedics. The association promotes education, collaboration, and research in musculoskeletal conditions and treatments in animals, primarily dogs and cats. Its membership comprises veterinary surgeons, researchers, and specialists dedicated to improving orthopaedic care for animals.

History

The BVOA was established in 1963 as the British Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (BSAVA) Orthopaedic Study Group. It was founded by a committee that included notable figures such as Professor Leslie Vaughan and Brian Singleton. Over the years, the organisation evolved to become a leading authority on veterinary orthopaedics in the UK, promoting innovation, research, and education in the field.

Professor Leslie Vaughan

Professor Leslie C. Vaughan (1927–2008) was a distinguished veterinary surgeon and a founding member of the BVOA. Born in Swansea, he qualified from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in 1949 and dedicated his entire professional career to the institution. His roles included house surgeon, lecturer, senior lecturer, reader, professor, head of department, and vice-principal. Even after retirement, Professor Vaughan continued to teach and work at the RVC, contributing significantly to veterinary surgery and education for over 50 years. He passed away in 2008 after a short illness.

Leslie Vaughan Prize

The Leslie Vaughan Prize was established to honour Professor Vaughan's remarkable contributions to veterinary orthopaedics. Initially awarded to the candidate with the highest mark in the RCVS CertSAO examination, the prize's format was revised in 1997 to encourage and reward young researchers in the field of veterinary orthopaedics.

Winners of the Leslie Vaughan Prize

Year	Winner	Abstract Title
2004	Andy Moores	The three loop pulley suture versus two locking loop sutures for the repair of canine achilles tendons
2005	Toby Gemmil	Assessment of elbow joint incongruency using reconstructed computed tomography in dogs with elbow dysplasia
2006	Mark Tonzing	Post surgical meniscal injuries following 357 tibial plateau levelling procedures
2007	Michael Tivers	Partial medial meniscal resection only versus fabello-tibial suture for the management of cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency
2008	Adrian Wallace	Radius and ulna fractures in cats:a retrospective study of 48 cases
2009	Davinia Draffan	Radiographic analysis of trochlear notch sclerosis in the diagnosis of osteoarthirtis secondary to medial coronoid disease
2010	Neil Burton	Medical management versus arthroscopic treatment for medial coronoid process disease in dogs: a prospective gait evaluation
2011	Graham Hayes	Electromyographic study of the hamstring reflex response to cranial tibial translation: A method to detect changes in dynamic stabilisation of the stifle associated with cruciate disease
2012	Hannah Gritti	Proximal tibial fracture in immature dogs
2013	Miranda Aiken	Does postoperative antibiosis reduce the risk of surgical site infection?
2014	Ricardo De Sousa	Biomechanical comparison of a traditional fabella-tibial suture and lateral sutures placed between quasi-isometric points for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in feline stifles.
2015	Mark Longley	Biomechanical evaluation of simulated feline patella fracture repairs
2016	Lea Keakin	Evaluation of chronic pain in dogs following surgical stabilisation of humeral condylar fracture or fissure: 105 cases
2017	Charlotte Howes	Skull pathology in six cats with patellar factures and persistent deciduous teeth
2018	Heather Williams	Multi-centre retrospective study of the long-term outcome following suspected traumatic luxation in 37 cats
2019	Emma Hall	Semi-constrained inter-arch external skeletal fixator for management of mandibular drift in three cats
2020	No prize was awarded (cancellation of the spring meeting due to Covid19)	Emma Hall remained the custodian of the Leslie Vaughan statue
2021	Wi Li Chong	The comparison of the advanced locking plate system and the hybrid DCP for pancarpal arthrodesis
2022	Alice Brettle	Using ex-vivo biomechanical testing to evaluate the reduction of medial forces in canine elbows after load shifting osteotomies for the treatment of medial compartment disease
2023	Dylan Payne	Computed tomography (CT) topographical analysis of incomplete intracondylar fissures (HIF) in English Springer Spaniel (ESS)dogs.

Many of these winning abstracts have been published in respected veterinary journals, furthering the collective knowledge and standards of veterinary orthopaedics.

Objectives

The BVOA aims to:

• Promote the highest standards of veterinary orthopaedic care.
• Facilitate research and education in animal musculoskeletal health.
• Provide training and continued professional development (CPD) opportunities for veterinary surgeons.
• Foster collaboration and communication among veterinary professionals both nationally and internationally.

The association regularly organises conferences, CPD events, and publishes resources to disseminate knowledge on the latest advancements in veterinary orthopaedics.

Leadership

The current chairman of the BVOA is Andy Moores, a leading veterinary orthopaedic surgeon based at Moores Orthopaedic Clinic. Andy Moores is recognised for his expertise in small animal orthopaedics and is one of only three surgeons in the UK certified to perform 3rd generation TATE elbow replacement in dogs, a cutting-edge procedure that addresses canine elbow dysplasia.

Activities and Contributions

Conferences and Events

The BVOA hosts an annual conference where veterinary professionals from the UK and abroad gather to share research, case studies, and innovations in veterinary orthopaedics. The conferences often feature workshops and presentations from leading specialists in the field.

Research and Development

The BVOA supports research initiatives aimed at developing new treatments, improving surgical outcomes, and advancing the understanding of musculoskeletal diseases in animals. It also collaborates with veterinary institutions and organisations to promote evidence-based practices. Notable studies include:

• "Evaluation of variables influencing success and complication rates in canine total hip replacement", which has been instrumental in identifying factors that impact outcomes in canine orthopaedic surgery.
• "A Survey of Orthopaedic Conditions in Small Animal Veterinary Practice in Britain", providing valuable insights into the prevalence and management of orthopaedic conditions in clinical practice.

Education and Training

The association places a strong emphasis on continued professional development. It offers CPD opportunities, workshops, and courses for veterinary surgeons who wish to specialise in orthopaedics.

Certification and Standards

The BVOA works in close partnership with organisations like the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) to uphold standards for veterinary orthopaedic practice in the UK.

Membership

Membership of the BVOA is open to qualified veterinary surgeons and professionals interested in orthopaedics. The association also collaborates with other veterinary bodies, such as the British Veterinary Association (BVA).