A MODIFIED PELVIC FIXATION TECHNIQUE USING SCREWS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HIP DYSPLASIA IN DOGS

Abstract

Eight dysplastic hips of seven dogs suffering from mild hip dysplasia, as classified by the
Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA), were treated using a modified pelvic fixation technique. After pelvic, ischial and ilial osteotomies, the pelvis was plane-adjusted and fixed using screws to increase the acetabular coverage over the femoral head. Evaluation was made of the animals gait, by hip palpation and by taking OFA standard, ventrodorsal radiographs before and immediately after the surgical operation, followed by further evaluation 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks later. The degree of acetabular coverage over the femoral head was assessed using dorsolateral subluxation (DLS) scores of the operated hips which were calculated from the radiographic findings before and
after the operation. Means of the DLS scores before and immediately after the operation and at each further assesment were 39, 80, 92, 95, 97, 99, 98, 97, 97 and 93 %, respectively. By paired t-test analyses, means of the postoperative DLS scores at every interval were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than the means of the preoperative DLS scores. Clinical union of the osteotomized ilium was radiographically evident between 12 and 16 weeks after the operation. Two had a normal gait after 8 weeks and three after 12 weeks. Another dog had a normal gait at 16 weeks while the last dog walked
normally after 24 weeks. In conclusion, a modified from of ilium fixation, using screws after triple pelvic osteotomy, can be used for the treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs.