Pericapsular hip desensitization in dogs: a cadaveric study and case series

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Canine Orthopedics
• Pain Management

Background:

• Hip osteoarthritis is a common cause of chronic pain in dogs.
• Current treatments may have limited efficacy or side effects.
• Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia offers a potential minimally invasive approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate the efficacy of an ultrasound-guided pericapsular hip desensitization (PHD) technique in dogs.
• To assess the anatomical feasibility and clinical outcomes of US-guided PHD.

Main Methods:

• Prospective anatomical study in canine cadavers and a case series in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.
• Ultrasound-guided injection of dye (low and high volume) into the pericapsular space of cadaver hips.
• Clinical assessment of pain and function using dynamic response and the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) questionnaire in osteoarthritic dogs.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound-guided PHD successfully stained articular branches of femoral and obturator nerves in cadavers.
• Higher dye volume (0.2 mL kg⁻¹) resulted in greater obturator nerve staining.
• Dogs with hip osteoarthritis showed reduced dynamic pain and improved CBPI scores (≥50% reduction for ≥12 weeks) post-injection.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound-guided PHD is anatomically feasible and effectively desensitizes key nerves around the canine hip.
• The technique is associated with significant clinical improvement in dogs suffering from hip osteoarthritis.
• US-guided PHD represents a promising therapeutic option for canine hip pain.