Our Summary

This study looked at how well dogs with hip disease did after getting a total hip replacement (THR) using a specific type of device called a BFX lateral bolt stem. The researchers looked at 195 cases involving 149 dogs. They took X-rays before and after the surgery, and then again at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 12 months after the operation. They recorded any complications and problems that happened during and after the surgery.

The results showed that about 12% of the dogs had complications during the operation, and about 14% had problems after the surgery. The complications included things like fractures, dislocation of the hip, failure of the stem, loosening of the replacement joint, and fractures of the hip socket.

However, only about 3% of the dogs had to have the replacement hip removed. On average, the stem of the replacement hip sank a little bit (about 1.22mm) into the bone in the month after the surgery. Dogs that had a wider canal in their bone were more likely to have fractures after the surgery.

Despite these complications, almost all of the dogs (97.4%) returned to normal function in the long term. This means that the BFX lateral bolt stem worked well with only a few complications and a high success rate in the long term. This type of hip replacement should be considered for dogs as it has a low failure rate and a high long-term success rate.

FAQs

  1. What were the clinical outcomes of total hip replacements using a BFX lateral bolt stem in dogs with coxofemoral joint disease?
  2. What was the postoperative complication rate for the dogs that underwent this type of surgery?
  3. What is the significance of the BFX lateral bolt stem in canine total hip replacement?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hip replacement is to follow the postoperative instructions carefully, including proper rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy to ensure a successful recovery and return to normal function. It is also important to schedule regular follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor the healing process and address any concerns or complications that may arise.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for hip replacement surgery are those who are experiencing severe hip pain, stiffness, and limited mobility due to conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, hip fractures, or other hip joint diseases. These patients may have tried conservative treatments such as medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications without success. Hip replacement surgery may be recommended for individuals who have not experienced relief from their symptoms with non-surgical treatments and who have significant functional impairment that affects their quality of life.

Timeline

  • Preoperative: The patient experiences pain, stiffness, and limited mobility in the hip joint, leading to a consultation with a healthcare provider and a decision to undergo hip replacement surgery.
  • Immediate postoperative: The patient undergoes the THR surgery and begins the recovery process, which may involve pain management, physical therapy, and monitoring for any immediate complications.
  • 1-3 months postoperative: The patient continues with physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility in the hip joint. Follow-up appointments with the healthcare provider are scheduled to monitor progress and check for any complications.
  • 4-12 months postoperative: The patient continues to improve and regain function in the hip joint, with regular follow-up appointments to ensure the hip replacement is successful and there are no long-term complications.
  • Long-term follow-up: The patient achieves normal limb function and experiences minimal postoperative subsidence with the BFX lateral bolt stem, resulting in a successful outcome for the THR surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with a total hip replacement using a BFX lateral bolt stem?
  2. What is the expected recovery time and rehabilitation process after the surgery?
  3. How long can I expect the hip replacement to last before needing revision surgery?
  4. Will I need to make any lifestyle modifications or precautions after the surgery?
  5. What type of follow-up care and monitoring will be necessary after the surgery?
  6. Are there any specific activities or exercises I should avoid after the hip replacement?
  7. How experienced are you in performing total hip replacements using the BFX lateral bolt stem?
  8. What is the success rate of this procedure in dogs with coxofemoral joint disease?
  9. Can you provide me with information on the expected outcome and prognosis following the hip replacement surgery?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options that I should consider before proceeding with a total hip replacement?

Reference

Authors: Kwok JY, Wendelburg KL. Journal: Vet Surg. 2023 Jan;52(1):51-61. doi: 10.1111/vsu.13871. Epub 2022 Sep 30. PMID: 36181274