A specialist was recommended I am quite sure because the vet she saw realizes he has limits. Some vets will perform such surgeries but most will refer to specialists for good reason.
I have a foster who suffered the results of a vet performing a surgery for a client who was bargain shopping. His name is Rookie and he had an operation by a regular practice vet that was inadequate and did not heal. He suffered for six months and then needed a bone graft, pin, plate and screws; and had to be crated for months! Thankfully, he is ok, although NOW his leg is shorter and he has a bit of a limp. In order to do the bone graft they had to cut away bone.
I would never allow a regular vet to perform orthopedic sugery on any of my pups. I would say that you got lucky!