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How to replace and repair a hip luxation back in a dog | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Videos

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education video, Dr. S. Christopher Ralphs, DACVS reviews how to “pop” a hip luxation back into a dog. This should be done ideally under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. The veterinarian must be aware of the anatomy of the pelvis and femur to appropriately replace and repair a hip luxation. For more learning, check out our other VETgirl videos HERE!

  1. That was SO satisfying to watch! Thank you for the educational video! This similar case was presented in our clinic and the DVM and myself had a very difficult time placing the femoral head back into place. My question to you is. If you are worried about taking a post op radiograph of a VD and having the femur pop out of place again. What will happen if the patient is in recovery from us placing it back and it decides to “pop” back out? Would one have to op for sx? or a hip replacement?
    Thank you for your time! Again, wonderful video.

  2. Hi Maria,

    Glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, unfortunately many of these do reluxate after a closed reduction. If it pops back out again then you have a couple of options:
    -Do another closed reduction- this has a low success rate but you might get lucky
    -Do nothing. Some dogs and cats can adjust to this and have some decent limb function but usually this results in poor limb function and is not ideal but finances sometimes dictate treatment.
    -Do an FHO. This does not give normal limb function but many pets can regain good limb function after this salvage surgery
    -Do an open reduction. These are challenging surgeries using a toggle pin, placing bone anchors or several other methods to try to secure the hip in reduction surgically. This is a good choice for young large breed dogs with good hips
    -Do a total hip replacement. This is a big ticket item but is the only real option to restore excelling limb use if the luxation is really chronic or if there is significant DJD or poor hip conformation.

    Chris

  3. Do you use a different type of sling or stabilization instead of Ehmer sling after reduction? Thank you for the great video!

  4. For a ventral luxation I typically use hobbles. For dorsal luxations, I use strict activity restriction. About 50% will reluxate even in the Ehmer and I find that the complications of the slings are hard to justify. If I use an Ehmer, I generally recheck Xrays in three days since I would hate to have a dog that reluxated the day after the sling was placed but we didn’t know until two weeks later when we take the sling off!

  5. Excellent CE/video! Practical and to the point, great skeletal instructions with real modeling. Your CE made me feel like I can do this – and I agree 100% with your dislike of Ehmer slings! Now I have ammunition when the PM asks why I’m not using them! Bravo

  6. This was a tremendously helpful video – sure wish that I’d have had this before doing my first luxation as a new grad. Thank you!

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