Dog Hip Surgery

Dog hip surgery is a treatment option that is often considered after alternative therapies haven’t helped a canine with his hip problems. There are a few different types of procedures that can be performed on a dog that correspond with his ailment.

Why a Dog May Need Hip Surgery

A variety of conditions may require a dog to undergo surgery to help improve his quality of life, including hip dysplasia and Legg Perthes Disease. A dog that is injured in an accident or has a lot of wear and tear on the joints may also require surgery if medications and physical therapy haven't alleviated his symptoms.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy

A triple pelvic osteotomy is a surgical procedure that's mainly performed on younger dogs that have hip dysplasia, which can cause arthritis. Dysplasia is condition where part of a dog's hip bone isn't shaped correctly and causes friction with the head of the femur when he walks. With three cuts, the acetabulum is cut off and replaced with a plate so the femur can reattach to the bone in the pelvis.

This surgery is done so a dog can have better range of motion and move around with less pain. A triple pelvic osteotomy can be performed on one or both hips, with each hip being treated at separate times. A dog that has undergone this procedure will be fully recovered after about 4 months.

Femoral Head Osteotomy

A femoral head osteotomy is performed on smaller dogs that have dysplasia of the hip or an acetabular impingement, a condition where a dog's femur rubs against the bone in the pelvis and tears the cartilage. In this procedure, the top of the femur bone is amputated and is replaced with muscle or other tissues that will scar, form a new joint and provide support. As a result, older dogs or those that weigh more than 45 lbs. are not good candidates for this procedure. The success rate of this type of procedure is around 75 to 80% and a dog will be fully recovered after a couple of months.

Dog Hip Replacement

Dogs that are full-grown, weigh more than 50 lbs., and have severe arthritis, hip dysplasia or haven’t recovered from an injury are better candidates for a hip replacement. In a total hip replacement, the top of a dog's femur is replaced with stainless steel to form a new "ball," and part of the pelvis is replaced with a strong plastic to form a new "socket." When a dog has a hip replacement, the prosthetic devices take the place of the original bone, or the devices are placed in a manner that allows the bones to grow. The success rate of this procedure is around 90% and recovery could take up to 4 months.

Dog hip surgery
can cost up to $5,000 or more, depending on the procedure performed, but has a high rate of success. If physical therapy, medications, and other options have not helped a dog with his hip problem, surgery may be what's needed to ease his pain. Consult your veterinarian to see what treatment option is best for the dog and your wallet.