Pros and Cons of FHO Surgery

This surgical treatment is used to alleviate pain in dogs with hip problems and to enhance the quality of life when a hip replacement is not viable. It doesn't work the same way as a total hip replacement (THR). During surgery, the ball part of the joint (the femoral head) is removed. This helps to separate the pelvis and the femur so that less bone is rubbing on bone, which causes severe pain.

This technique is only indicated when hip joint dysfunction continues to cause pain and other treatment options are either not viable or have produced unsatisfactory results. In situations where money is a problem, the procedure is a good choice. Depending on the activity, the degree of limb usage after surgery can range from normal to a persistent limp. Most of the time, an FHO causes short limbs, confined hip movement, and muscle atrophy.

In general, the bigger the pet size is, the less formulaic the outcome will be. Older or bigger dogs who have a lot of degenerative disease in their hip joints are more likely to have better outcomes with a total hip replacement (THR) than with a femoral head ostectomy (FHO). Rehabilitation after FHO can take up to six months, depending on how well you take care of your pet after surgery and how much physical therapy you give to your pet. As soon as your pet's sutures are removed after FHO, physical therapy starts right away.

Swimming is one sort of physical rehabilitation that your pet can participate in after this treatment. This is due to the fact that this workout flexes and extends the hip joint. The length of each session is determined by the type of physical therapy being performed. This will help your dog's strength and range of motion.

As previously stated, FHO outcomes fluctuate and are partially based on the pet's size, as well as postoperative treatment and physical therapy. 

Finally, whether you are considering surgery for your pet, whether it is a femoral head ostectomy (FHO) or a total hip replacement (THR), it is critical that you carefully examine the benefits and drawbacks of each procedure. While an FHO may be appropriate in some circumstances, the benefits of a THR must be weighed. Before making any final judgments, talk to your surgeon about the benefits and drawbacks of both surgeries.

The femoral head and Neck Ostectomy is frequently used to treat hip illnesses such as hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, slipping capital femoral physis, and traumatic hip injuries such as hip dislocation and fractures of the head and neck of the femur.

The long-term outcome of FHO surgery is somewhat determined by the underlying condition. Usually, a favorable outcome is achieved if no further injuries or abnormalities to the surgery limb or other hind limb exist. A slight asymmetry in gait may continue over time, particularly in larger dogs, as a result of the treated limb being slightly shorter than the opposite hind limb, but this is usually not linked with any discomfort.