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Femoral head ostectomy in horses and cattle
K R Squire1, J F Fessler, J P Toombs
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Insights
Femoral head ostectomy is a viable salvage procedure for large animals with hip joint fractures or luxations. Prognosis is favorable in young cattle and fair in young horses or ponies under 100 kg.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Large Animal Orthopedics
Background:
- Hip joint conditions like capital femoral physeal fractures, coxofemoral luxations, acetabular fractures, and degenerative joint disease present significant challenges in large animals.
- Traditional surgical approaches may involve complications or limitations in exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of femoral head ostectomy (FHO) as a salvage procedure in horses, ponies, and cattle.
- To compare surgical approaches, including those with and without osteotomy of the greater trochanter.
Main Methods:
- Femoral head ostectomy was performed on 13 animals (6 horses, 3 ponies, 4 cattle) using a cranial approach without greater trochanter osteotomy.
- A dorsal approach involving osteotomy of the greater trochanter was evaluated in 3 healthy ponies.
Main Results:
- Six of nine discharged animals resumed their intended functions (breeding, milking, companion).
- All surviving animals exhibited mild to moderate residual lameness; horses were not suitable for riding.
- Younger, lighter animals (mean age 3.1 months, 84 kg) were more successful in regaining weight-bearing locomotion.
Conclusions:
- Femoral head ostectomy is a viable salvage procedure for specific hip joint pathologies in large animals.
- A dorsal approach with greater trochanter osteotomy offers superior joint exposure and facilitates the procedure.
- Surgical prognosis is better in young cattle and fair in young, lighter horses and ponies.
Abstract:
Femoral head ostectomy was performed in six horses, three ponies, and four cattle for treatment of fractures of the femoral capital physis, coxofemoral luxation, fractured acetabulum, or severe degenerative joint disease. The procedures were performed via a cranial approach that did not involve osteotomy of the greater trochanter. A dorsal approach for femoral head ostectomy via osteotomy of the greater trochanter was evaluated in three healthy adult ponies. Three animals (2 ponies, 1 calf) were euthanatized within a month and one horse was euthanatized at year 2 due to postoperative complications. Nine animals were discharged to owners and six of them fulfilled their intended functions of breeding, milking, and being kept as companions. One horse was lost to follow-up and two horses died of causes unrelated to the surgery. All surviving animals had a residual lameness that was described by owners as mild to moderate. None of the horses were used as riding animals. The mean age and weight of 10 animals that regained weight-bearing locomotion was 3.1 months and 84 kg; for three unsuccessful cases it was 34 months and 174 kg. We concluded that femoral head ostectomy was a viable salvage procedure for large animals with capital femoral physeal fracture, chronic coxofemoral luxation, or acetabular fracture. Surgical prognosis appeared to be favorable in young cattle and fair in young horses or ponies weighing less than 100 kg. Osteotomy of the greater trochanter resulted in superior exposure of the intact coxofemoral joint and allowed easier, less traumatic surgical luxation of the joint to facilitate femoral head ostectomy.