Our Introduction to Fracture Management Wet-lab in Auckland brought together veterinarians keen to build a solid, practical foundation in managing the fractures they see most in practice. The day was led by Dr Phil Hyndman.

The workshop followed the full fracture journey for canine and feline patients. It began at admission, with attendees learning how to assess and triage the acute trauma patient and classify commonly encountered fractures. From there, the group explored fracture biomechanics and bone healing, which set the foundation for sound treatment decisions.

The focus then turned to planning and fixation. Attendees worked through the theory and application of the core fixation tools:

  • Screws and locking plates
  • Cerclage wire
  • Intramedullary pins
  • Kirschner wires

In the wet-lab, attendees put this into practice by refining surgical approaches to commonly encountered fractures, planning open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and choosing suitable reduction and stabilisation techniques for each case. The day finished with postoperative care and how to build an appropriate management plan to support a smooth recovery.

Attendees left with a clear roadmap for fracture management and the confidence to manage each stage of a case, from first assessment to follow-up.

Thank you to Dr Hyndman for leading such an engaging and practical day, and to all the attendees for their engagement and great questions.

Dr. Phil Hyndman

 BVSc MVM DACVS-SA

Phil Hyndman obtained his Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Massey University and began his career in rural New Zealand. The resultant exposure to a high caseload of working-dog injuries sparked his passion for surgery. After three years in general practice, driven to provide the best possible care for his patients, Phil directed his focus to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Over the following six years he completed two Rotating Internships, a Surgical Internship, Master’s of Veterinary Medicine (surgical endorsement), and a Surgical Residency. During his Surgical Residency at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, Phil had the opportunity to work with experts in various sub-specialties developing additional training in surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, interventional techniques, neurosurgery, and total hip replacement. After becoming a Specialist Surgeon, Phil worked in Canada where he became accredited to perform Biomedtrix total hip replacement. He then returned to New Zealand and joined the Specialist team at ARC.

Introduction to Fracture Management Wet-lab NZ (September 2026)