Treatment of traumatic coxofemoral luxation with triple pelvic osteotomy in 19 dogs (1987-1999)

The objective of our study was to investigate, retrospectively. the role of triple pelvic osteotomy in the management of traumatic coxofemoral luxatio n. Nineteen patients were identified from medical record data and four dogs returned for long-term physical, goniometric and radiographic evaluation. Seventeen of nineteen dogs had maintenance of reduction of the hip. Due to poor outcome, two of these seventeen dogs required salvage procedures. Thre e of four dogs that returned for long-term follow-up, owner evaluation. rad iographic scoring, and physical examination had satisfactory results. These four dogs had manual goniometric evaluations performed on the affected sid e, and the contralateral hip. A paired student t-test was used for statisti cal analysis. and internal rotation was the only value which was significan tly (p less than or equal to 0.05) different between the two sides. Reducti on alone is not a representation of success when evaluating open management of coxofemoral luxation, because two dogs with poor limb function necessit ated femoral head and neck excision for limb salvage. The TPO does have a r ole in the treatment of traumatic coxofemoral luxation. but may not be suff icient in cases involving congenital dysplasia and/or intra-articular fract ures.