Total hip replacement as a treatment option for capital physeal fractures in dogs and cats.

Objectives: To evaluate outcome of capital physeal fractures (CPFs) treated by total hip replacement (THR) in dogs and cats.

Study Design: Retrospective phase II nonrandomized efficacy study.

Animals: Dogs (n = 21), cats (n = 4).

Methods: Medical records (1991-2009) and radiographs of dogs and cats with CPF treated by THR were reviewed. Physical examination findings, radiographs, thigh circumference (TC), force plate gait analysis, and an owner questionnaire were reviewed.

Results: Signalment and median interval between CPF and THR of all 25 animals had no clinical correlation with post-THR outcome. Force plate gait analysis and TC were available for 12 dogs. No significant difference in TC or force plate analyses between the THR limb and the normal contralateral limb was identified. Owner questionnaires (13 dogs) revealed improvement after THR with minimal (n = 2) or no lameness (n = 11).

Conclusion: Animals with CPF treated by THR did not have statistically significant differences in any subjective (21 dogs, 4 cats) or objective (12 dogs) variable when compared with the normal contralateral limb.