Femoral head and neck excision in the management of canine hip dysplasia.

Degenerative joint disease as a sequela to pathology of the coxofemoral joint can cause considerable pain. In dogs weighing less than 20 km, excision of the femoral head and neck is sufficient to control this pain. A pseudoarthrosis functions effectively as a salvage hip joint. In dogs weighing more than 20 km, additional surgery is required to ensure painfree use of the hip. Postoperatively, the weight of these larger animals appears to cause striking of the proximally excised femoral shaft with the pelvis during exercise. This contact causes pain that limits the use of the joint. The inclusion of a biceps femoris muscle sling to prevent this striking and the resultant pain is outlined.