Hip Dislocation
Is your furkid having difficulty getting up or holding up the hind leg in an unusual way?
Hip dislocation occurs when the ball of the femur (thigh bone) popped out from the hip socket.
It can be caused by trauma, joint degeneration or hip dysplasia (“clickety hips” due to improper development of the hip joint). Your furkid will likely be in pain and experience difficulties in walking or bearing weight on the legs. Please bring your furkid to seek medical attention and pain relief.
Diagnosing a hip dislocation
A chronic arthritic hip or a hip with bad joint conformation due to poor genetics may dislocate with little trauma or exercise.
Whereas, in a car accident or fall from height may also cause damage to other vital organs.
When we receive your little one for examination, we will take x-rays of the hips to confirm the dislocation severity and if there are other fractures. Besides that, x-rays and blood tests may be required to assess organ function and make suitable anaesthetic plans for any concurrent trauma.
Fracture repair with us
Surgical creation of a false joint (known as Femoral Head Ostectomy or FHO) – works best with physical therapy and keeps recurrence or complications at minimum, though not with some mild function loss
Hip Toggle - if a traumatic dislocation happened within few hours and the hip socket doesn’t already have arthritis
Surgical replacement of the hip joint – a referral surgery that includes supporting implants in the hip joint
Patience and care are key to recovery
Time and tender loving care will be critical to your furkid’s recovery. The hip structure will require a good 6-8 weeks to heal and pawrents must commit to helping out with muscle restrengthening exercises as well as keeping an eye out for complications that may delay recovery.
Depending on the severity of the injury, patient physique compliance, and any other coexisting injuries or underlying degeneration, it should not be long before your furkid gets better.
Do speak to us if you have questions about your pet’s hip joint condition!
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*Limited to routine and non emergency services