Limb-sparing surgery in a dog with osteosarcoma of the proximal femur
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
A Syngeneic Orthotopic Osteosarcoma Sprague Dawley Rat Model with Amputation to Control Metastasis Rate
Published on: May 3, 2021
Julius M Liptak1, G Elizabeth Pluhar, William S Dernell
1Animal Cancer Center and Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. jliptak@uoguelph.ca
Objective:
To report successful limb-sparing surgery in a dog with a proximal femoral osteosarcoma (OSA) using a composite allograft-prosthetic technique.
Study Design:
Case report.
Animal:
Client-owned dog.
Methods:
A stage IIB OSA of the proximal aspect of the femur was resected in accordance with oncologic and limb-sparing principles. The osseous defect was reconstructed with a proximal femoral allograft and cemented, long-stemmed femoral prosthesis. Soft tissue reconstruction was achieved by suturing host tendons to their respective allogeneic tendons on the allograft. Coxofemoral joint function was preserved using standard total hip arthroplasty techniques.
Results:
Limb-sparing surgery of the proximal aspect of the femur using a composite allograft-prosthetic technique resulted in excellent limb function. Postoperative complications included aseptic loosening of the femoral composite graft and allograft nonunion, which required revision, traumatic implant luxation, and local tumor recurrence. Limb function was excellent after surgical stabilization of the allograft nonunion but deteriorated after implant luxation 270 days postlimb-sparing surgery. Pulmonary and skeletal metastases were diagnosed and local tumor recurrence suspected 596 and 650 days postoperatively, respectively. The dog was euthanatized 688 days after limb-sparing surgery as a result of progressive local and metastatic disease.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Limb-sparing surgery for dogs with primary bone tumors of the proximal aspect of the femur is feasible with good functional results.
