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Total hip replacement in three cats: surgical technique, short-term outcome and comparison to femoral head ostectomy
W D Liska1, N Doyle, D J Marcellin-Little
1Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, 1111 West Loop South 160, Houston, TX 77027, USA. DrLiska@GCVS.com
Insights
Total hip replacement (THR) in cats with hip trauma showed excellent recovery and functional outcomes. This surgical technique offers a promising alternative to femoral head ostectomy (FHO) for feline hip injuries.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Orthopaedics
- Small Animal Surgery
Background:
- Hip trauma in cats can lead to significant pain and dysfunction.
- Surgical interventions like total hip replacement (THR) and femoral head ostectomy (FHO) are considered for managing these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the surgical technique for total hip replacement (THR) in cats with hip trauma.
- To evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of THR compared to femoral head ostectomy (FHO) in feline patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving three cats that underwent THR for capital epiphyseal fractures and five cats that underwent FHO.
- Data collected included signalment, body condition, surgical details, radiographic findings, and functional limb evaluation through orthopaedic examinations and client interviews.
Main Results:
- Cats undergoing THR demonstrated excellent functional outcomes, with favorable hip flexion, extension, and thigh girth compared to FHO.
- Post-operative assessments of muscle mass, range of motion, gait, and owner satisfaction indicated superior recovery with THR.
Conclusions:
- Total hip replacement (THR) in cats with hip trauma results in excellent recovery and functional outcomes.
- Further rigorous, controlled studies are recommended to solidify the evidence base for THR in feline orthopaedic surgery.
Objective:
To describe the surgical technique and clinical features of total hip replacement (THR) due to hip trauma in cats.
Study Design:
Retrospective study.
Sample Population:
Three client-owned cats that underwent THR to treat capital epiphyseal fractures, and five client-owned cats that underwent femoral head ostectomy (FHO).
Methods:
The clinical data included signalment, body weight, body condition score, diagnosis, implant size, surgical technique, intraoperative observations, and postoperative complications. Radiographic evaluation included implant positioning, cement mantle quality, and follow-up examination of the cement-bone interfaces. Orthopaedic examinations and client interviews were used to evaluate limb function.
Results:
The three cats that underwent THR had a mean body weight of 5.5 kg, a mean body condition score of 6/9, and a mean age of three years at the time of surgery. The average THR follow-up was 11 months. For the five cats that underwent FHO, the mean body weight was 6.3 kg, mean body score was 7/9, and mean age at the time of FHO was 2.5 years. The average FHO follow-up was 22 months. Hip flexion, hip extension, and thigh girth after THR compared favourably to similar measurements made after FHO. The functional outcomes after THR were excellent. The functional outcomes after FHO ranged from poor to excellent.
Conclusion And Clinical Relevance:
The recovery after THR was excellent based on clinical assessment of muscle mass, hip joint passive range of motion, gait, and owner assessment. Further blinded, randomised, and controlled trials of THR in cats are warranted.