Kinetic and Radiographic Outcomes of Unilateral Double Pelvic Osteotomy in Six Dogs

The aim of this study was to assess the kinetic and radiographic outcome of unilateral double pelvic osteotomy (DPO) using a temporospatial pressure walkway, preoperative and postoperative radiographs.

Retrospective case series of six dogs that underwent unilateral DPO for canine hip dysplasia. The untreated limb was unfit for DPO due to radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis and was therefore managed non-surgically. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs and kinetic data were compared between untreated and DPO-treated hips using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

There was no significant difference in British Veterinary Association Hip Dysplasia Scheme (BVA-HD) scores between untreated and DPO-treated hips preoperatively (p-value = 0.09) and postoperatively (p-value = 0.06). The median postoperative GAIT4 Dog Lameness Score was lower in untreated hips than DPO-treated hips but was not statistically different (p-value = 0.18).

All dogs in this case series achieved a total pressure index and GAIT4 Dog Lameness Score on the DPO-treated hip comparable to normal limbs. All untreated hips in this series had increased BVA-HD scores at follow-up, whereas all DPO-treated hips had reduced BVA-HD scores. This difference was not significant and warrants further studies. We conclude total pressure index may be preserved in hips treated with unilateral DPO, while the contralateral hip is managed non-surgically.