Arthroscopic placement of a toggle rod to correct coxofemoral luxation in a dog

To describe a minimally invasive toggle repair technique under arthroscopic guidance to correct a coxofemoral luxation in a canine.

Case report ANIMALS: A 9-year-old, male (neutered) Alaskan husky.

Prior to surgery, the coxofemoral luxation was reduced in a closed fashion. With standard arthroscopic portals, the completely torn round ligament was removed with a motorized shaver. A bone tunnel was created between the femoral head and the acetabulum by using an intra-articular drill guide, guide wires, and a cannulated drill bit. A toggle rod was inserted into the bone tunnel and tied to a 4-hole button located over the third trochanter. The implant position was confirmed via fluoroscopy.

Within 24 hours of surgery, the dog was weight bearing with mild lameness. Six weeks postoperatively, radiographic assessment revealed that the implant location was unchanged, with no lameness documented. At 6 months postoperatively, the dog had returned to normal function with no reported complications.

The toggle rod repair of a coxofemoral luxation under arthroscopic guidance was successful in the dog described in this case report.

Minimally invasive, arthroscopic guided toggle rod stabilization may be an alternative to the currently accepted open approach when addressing coxofemoral luxations.