#Normal hip xray dog full#

Basically, the hip is a ball and socket joint: the ball is at the top of the thigh bone (femur), and the socket (acetabulum) is in the pelvis. To fully understand the need for your dog’s hip surgery, it is important to first understand the anatomy of the hip. Obviously, the diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs is an enormous worry, which is compounded by the potentially exorbitant cost of hip dysplasia surgery and particularly dog hip replacements. Most dog owners are understandably concerned if their beloved pet has a serious hip condition for which surgery is the best, or only, treatment. While a costly and invasive procedure, it is highly successful in restoring a more normal hip motion and eliminating pain and discomfort.Ĭontinue reading to learn more about when hip surgery is needed, the three major types of hip surgerys, their success rates and recovery period, the breeds most likely to require hip surgery and if hip surgery is covered by pet insurance.

This type of surgery is usually performed on fully grown dogs with severe hip degeneration but in otherwise good health. Total Hip Replacement entails removing the entire hip joint and replacing it with an implant (a false hip constructed of plastic and/or metal).

#Normal hip xray dog full#

Although expensive and painful, TPO can successfully restore full function to the hip joint for the long-term. This type of surgery is usually performed on young dogs that do not yet show major signs of hip dysplasia. Triple Pelvic Osteotomy entails cutting the pelvic bone in three places and rotating the segments of bone to create a more aligned hip socket. It provides significant pain relief and is a more affordable option than the other techniques, but may leave the dog with a limp or gait abnormality. This type of surgery is usually performed on small dogs whose weight can be supported by the false joint. Eventually, scar tissue forms a ‘false joint’. Which of these is used will depend on individual circumstances such as dog’s health, age and size and the owner’s financial constraints.įemoral Head Ostectomy entails removing the top part of the femur (hip bone), leaving an empty socket.

If hip surgery is the treatment of choice for your dog, there are three surgical techniques that are most commonly used. However, not all dogs with hip dysplasia will require hip surgery several more conservative treatment options are also available. Hip dysplasia means that the hip joint has not developed properly, leading over time to impeded movement and significant pain. Your dog’s hip surgery is most likely required to address hip dysplasia, a common hereditary condition affecting many breeds, and particularly the larger breeds. Hip surgery is the treatment of choice for many hip conditions in dogs.