Treatment of traumatic coxo-femoral luxation by cemented total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

SummarySurgical procedures such as total hip arthroplasty (THA) or femoral head and neck excision may be indicated as a treatment for traumatic coxo-femoral luxation that is complicated by pre-existing joint disease, concurrent fractures or recurrent luxation. The purpose of our study was to evaluate outcome after treatment of traumatic coxo-femoral luxation by THA. Medical records of dogs undergoing cemented THA from 1996 to 2002 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were coxofemoral luxation resulting from severe external trauma and radiographic follow-up of at least 3 months. Ten dogs (12 THA) met the criteria for inclusion. Complications included THA luxation (n = 1) and a non-displaced peri-prosthetic femoral fracture (n = 1) that healed without further surgery. Median cumulative function scores from client questionnaires after THA were not significantly different in dogs with previously normal (8, range: 7-10), (n = 5) and dysplastic (9, range: 7–16), (n = 5) hips (P = 0.410). Six dogs were available for re-examination and force plate analysis at greater than 6 months post-THA, and none of these dogs had any visible lameness. Peak vertical force (% BWt) showed a trend towards being less in THA (60.8±5.1) than non-operated (68.1±6.1) hindlimbs (P = 0.057), whereas vertical impulse (% BWt x sec) was similar in THA (9.1±1.6) and non-operated (9.8±1.2) hindlimbs (P = 0.286). Our findings indicate that THA can be a successful treatment for traumatic coxo-femoral luxation, irrespective of the dysplastic status of the joint prior to injury.