Total hip replacement after failed femoral head and neck excision in two dogs and two cats.

Objective: To document outcome in 2 dogs and 2 cats after conversion of femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) to total hip replacement (THR).

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: Dogs (n = 2) and 2 cats.

Methods: For 1 dog and 2 cats, THR was performed using cemented acetabular and femoral components. Noncemented acetabular and cemented femoral components were used in 1 dog.

Results: All animals presented with severe hip pain and chronic lameness after unsuccessful FHNE. Potential causes of suboptimal outcome after FHNE were incomplete resection of the femoral neck (n = 3) and fibrous adhesions involving the sciatic nerve (n = 2). Post-FHNE remodeling of the proximal femur and acetabulum necessitated unconventional modifications of surgical technique. In all 4 cases, final clinical outcome and radiographic reassessment were satisfactory. Aseptic loosening of the acetabular bone-cement interface necessitating surgical revision was the only complication noted in 1 cat.

Conclusions: Despite severe preoperative pain and chronic functional impairment in all cases, conversion of FHNE to THR produced marked clinical improvement including return to unrestricted exercise within 12 weeks of surgery.