Clinical outcomes of canine total hip replacement utilizing a BFX lateral bolt femoral stem: 195 consecutive cases (2013-2019).

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of total hip replacements (THR) utilizing a BFX lateral bolt stem in dogs with coxofemoral joint disease.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Sample Population: A total of 149 dogs representing 195 THR.

Methods: Consecutive THRs utilizing a BFX lateral bolt stem were studied. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 12-month postoperative radiographs were performed. All major and minor complications, revisions, outcomes, subsidence, canal flare index (CFI) were recorded.

Results: An intraoperative complication rate of 11.8% was observed. The postoperative complication rate was 13.6%, with 9.2% major and 4.4% minor complications. Complications included: postoperative femur fractures (3.6%), coxofemoral luxation (3.6%), stem failure (0.5%), septic loosening (0.5%), aseptic loosening (0.5%), and acetabular fracture (0.5%). Three dogs underwent prophylactic plating after subjective assessment of cortical thickness. Five of 195 (2.6%) cases underwent explant of their prostheses (median = 3 months). Mean stem subsidence at 1 month postoperatively was 1.22 ± 0.16 mm. An increased CFI was associated with postoperative femur fractures (p < .05). A total of 190 of 195 (97.4%) cases returned to normal function in the long-term follow-up period.

Conclusion: Use of the BFX lateral bolt stem resulted in minimal postoperative subsidence, a low femoral stem complication rate, and a high rate of achieving normal limb function.

Clinical Significance: The BFX lateral bolt stem should be considered in canine THR as the femoral failure rate is low and the long-term success rate is high.