Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy

Purpose

- Femoral head and neck ostectomy (fho) is considered a salvage procedure.

- FHO is performed to restore some normal function to a hip joint that cannot be otherwise surgically corrected.

- FHO is done in dogs and cats that have severe fractures of the hip, hip dysplasia that is not responsive to medical management, chronic dislocations (subluxations) and severe degenerative conditions including hip dysplasia and Legg-Calves-Perthes disease.

- Limb function that results from FHO is usually very good; smaller patients and patients that are willing to use the operated leg soon after surgery tend to have the best outcome.

Technique

- FHO involves cutting off the ball (femoral head) of the ball and socket hip joint.

- A scar forms in the remaining space, effectively creating a false hip.

- The procedure allows an improved range of motion and eliminates bone-on-bone pain that is associated with the conditions previously mentioned.

Potential Complications

- Complications are uncommon, and include a continued unacceptable degree of lameness, infection, bleeding, and nerve damage.

Recovery and Prognosis

- The patient is encouraged to use the leg as much as possible as soon as possible – this enhances the quality of the scar tissue that creates the false joint.

- Dogs that carry the leg for the first few weeks after surgery have a greater loss of range of motion.

- Physical rehabilitation and pain control medication can greatly help encourage use of the operated leg.

adapted from Small Animal Practice Client Handouts, 2011 Saunders