Micro Total Hip Replacement
Putting The Spring Back Into Your Pet's Step
A micro total hip replacement from our skilled surgeons at Carolina Veterinary Specialists offers small dogs and cats with hip disease an opportunity to walk with confidence again.
Please Note: We require a referral from your primary care veterinarian before making an appointment for surgery.
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Relieving the Pain of Hip Disease
Micro total hip replacement (micro THR) is a revolutionary surgical option for restoring pain-free hip function to cats and small dogs suffering from hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint diseases of the coxal femoral joint.
Where once it was only possible to perform hip replacement surgery on medium to large dogs, nano and micro femoral stem and cup implants now make it possible for our skilled veterinary surgeons to perform this effective procedure on dogs and cats as small as eight pounds.
Is My Pet a Suitable Candidate for Micro Total Hip Replacement?
If your pet weighs less than 25 lbs and has been diagnosed with a painful hip condition, micro THR by our board certified veterinary surgeons may be the ideal way to restore your pet's comfortable mobility and improve their overall quality of life.
What is Total Micro Hip Replacement?
Micro THR is a surgical procedure performed on cats and small dogs suffering from hip pain. During this surgery the painful joint is removed and replaced by a state-of-the-art artificial hip joint, relieving pain and restoring normal biomechanical function.
- What conditions can micro THR be used to treat?
Micro THR can be an effective way to restore normal hip function to cats and small dogs diagnosed with hip dysplasia, secondary osteoarthritis (caused by hip dysplasia), hip luxation, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, or injuries to the hip joint caused by trauma.
- What is the micro THR surgical process?
The micro total hip replacement process is much the same as a standard hip replacement surgery for larger dogs, but on a much smaller scale.
Following a stringent assessment process to determine that your pet is healthy enough to undergo surgery, a general anesthetic will be administered.
During a micro THR at Carolina Veterinary Specialists, one of our board certified veterinary surgeons will skillfully remove both the ball (head of the thigh bone) and socket (in the pelvis) of the hip joint. These will then be replaced with micro prosthetic implants.
The ball section of the implant is made from a cobalt-chromium metal alloy and the socket is constructed from high molecular weight polyethylene plastic.
Special bone cement will be used to hold the micro implants securely in place.
Following surgery our team of expert staff will monitor your pet as they regain consciousness, and provide medications as needed to ensure that your dog or cat's pain is well managed.
- What is the micro THR implant?
The micro THR implantation system is comprised of three components, the femoral stem, the femoral head (ball), and the acetabulum (cup).
Each component is manufactured from materials that provide optimal functionality and biocompatibility including cobalt-chrome, stainless-steel and ultra-high, molecular weight polyethylene.
Your dog or cat's implant will be sized according to hip measurements taken using digital X-rays taken during the assessment stage.
The micro THR system is very similar to systems used for larger dogs, just smaller. The implant components are designed to last a lifetime and should not requirement replacement.
- Is micro THR surgery safe for dogs and cats?
There is a level of risk involved with any surgery, whether that is a surgical procedure for a person or a pet, but please rest assured that your pet's safety is our number one concern.
To help minimize the risks of surgery, your pet will undergo a comprehensive health assessment to determine whether your companion is fit enough to undergo surgery involving general anesthetic.
Throughout the surgical process, your cat or dog's vital signs will be continuously monitored by our team using advanced monitoring equipment such as EKG, end tidal CO2, pulse oximetry, oscillometric blood pressure, arterial line, etc..
If any underlying conditions are detected during your pet's pre-op health assessment, our team will discuss other treatment options with you, and surgery will not go ahead.
- How long is the recovery following micro THR?
Most of our four-legged patients begin walking on their new hip the day after surgery and are mobile upon release from the hospital.
That said, in spite of your pet's ability to walk out of hospital, it is extremely important to limit their activity for the first six weeks following micro THR surgery.
Your pet should be confined to a small area or crate during this time, with no access to stairs or anything they may be tempted to jump up on to. Flooring in their area should provide good traction to avoid slipping, and pets must be kept on leash when taken outdoors for potty breaks.
After your pet's follow up appointment at around six weeks, you will be given instructions on when it will be safe to begin taking your pet on short walks.
Pain medications will be provided as needed.
Your veterinary surgeon may recommend canine rehabilitation to help your dog to regain strength, fitness and flexibility. Once the healing process is complete, your pet will be encouraged to resume normal activities. .
