Hip dislocation

A hip dislocation is, basically, a very painful condition, due to the abnormal work of the pelvic-and-femoral joint, because the "head" of the femur slips out of the "socket" in the hip. The pets are limping constantly, and most of the time they are able to use the affected back leg. It requires a visit to the vet urgently, as sometimes, just with manipulating the bone back to its place, or replacement. 

However, this procedure has to be done under anaesthesia, and the longer it is left, the more likely the pet will need surgery to solve the problem.

Here is the case of a neutered, adult cat, who was missed for several weeks, and came back home limping very dearly and a "crackling" hip (read more)

In our consult room he clearly limping from his right back leg and showed signs of pain. Even so, we could find out that his leg position was abnormal and that one of his legs looked longer than the other one. 

Under sedation we could perform some radiographies and relocated the femoral head to the acetabulum (or hip socket). Unfortunately, as soon as the leg was left free, it popped out back to its dislocated position. In this case there was no option but a surgical approach with the excision of the femoral head. This is a procedure that not any vet would perform, and I was fortunate to attend this orthopaedic surgery, performed by Mr D. Donovan, in Vets 4 Pets Walton Vale.

The patient will need analgesic and antiinflammatory treatment, as well as rehabilitation, after surgery, but we hope he will be able to have a normal, happy life.

Summing up in pictures, here is the surgical procedure