Force plate analysis of triple pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of canine hip dysplasia.

Triple pelvic osteotomy was performed in 15 dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia. Ten dogs were treated bilaterally and five dogs were treated unilaterally. Ten untreated dogs with normal hips served as controls. Force plate analysis, lameness evaluation, and radiography were performed before surgery and at weeks 5, 10, 15, and 28. Three dogs treated unilaterally were euthanatized and the hips were examined grossly and microscopically. Force plate data indicated that young dysplastic dogs transmitted significantly less vertical force through the hip joints than normal dogs. The force transmitted through treated hips reached or approached control levels by week 28 and was significantly greater than the force transmitted through untreated hips. Clinical lameness resolved in 92% of limbs and progression of radiographically detectable degenerative joint disease was minimal. Gross and microscopic degenerative changes in the articular cartilage were similar in the treated and untreated hips. The synovial membrane was less reactive in treated hips.