Treatments for hip dysplasia in dogs

Depending on the animal's age, the extent of the dysplasia, the pain expressed and the presence or absence of osteoarthritis lesions, different treatments may be applied, while others may be contraindicated. These treatments are designed to partially or totally correct the anomaly during growth, to relieve chronic pain when medical treatment is no longer sufficient, or to correct the anatomy of the diseased hip to make it more functional.

Pubic symphysiodesis

This is an early surgical treatment for hip dysplasia. It should be performed before the animal's 20th week of life, to take advantage of its growth potential. This surgery uses cauterization techniques to induce early closure of the pubic growth plate. This modification influences the growth of the pelvis and, more specifically, increases the dorsal acetabular coverage of the hip. This results in greater stability of the hip, which is too lax, and thus an improvement in the degree of dysplasia for the animal.

The technique is minimally invasive, and the pain induced is very slight. The operated animal is returned to full walking ability the same evening. Complications are very rare.

These criteria make it the surgery of choice for moderate correction of hip dysplasia in puppies under 20 weeks of age.

An early examination of your dog's hips, if he belongs to a high-risk breed, is therefore essential to detect possible dysplasia even before symptoms appear.

Double osteotomy of the pelvis

This surgical technique makes it possible to modify the dorsal acetabular coverage, i.e. the way in which the pelvis covers the head of the femur in the hip joint. The femoral head, which tends to protrude partially from the pelvis, is thus better covered and more stable.

Inclusion criteria for this surgery are very strict. A thorough radiographic assessment of the hip is required before confirming this indication. A major contraindication is the presence of osteoarthritis of the hip prior to surgery.

The average age of the dogs on which this surgery is performed is six to eight months.

Surgery involves reorienting the acetabulum after cutting through the neck of the ilium and the pubis, and stabilizing it with a screwed-on metal plate.

The post-operative period lasts from 4 to 6 weeks, during which your dog must remain at rest. As this procedure is performed on young, still-growing animals, healing is usually good and rapid.

Hip arthroplasty excision

This is palliative surgery. It provides pain relief when medical and other treatments are no longer sufficient. It requires that the animal's musculature, particularly that of the gluteal muscles, is sufficient, otherwise the results will be mediocre.

This surgery does not allow a return to normal joint function, but is primarily intended to improve quality of life by reducing the pain associated with osteoarthritis or inflammation caused by rubbing and subluxation of the hip. Although still possible, it is not recommended for heavy dogs, as the functional results are not as good.

It is therefore a surgery of last resort when other techniques are not possible.

This surgery involves removing the neck and head of the femur from the painful hip.

Total hip replacement

This is the technique of choice, as it allows the joint to return to normal function. It involves replacing the entire joint with prostheses that are left in place for the rest of the animal's life. This treatment calls for cutting-edge techniques and well-trained surgical teams. In the absence of surgical complications, recovery is usually rapid and the effects long-lasting. The cost of this procedure is high.