Summary
Cemented total hip replacement (cTHR) is commonly performed to treat intractable coxofemoral
pain in dogs. While owners generally perceive a good outcome after the procedure,
the longevity of the implant may be limited by complications such as infection and
aseptic loosening. The objective of this retrospective study was to identify the prevalence
of complications and radiographic changes following cTHR, and to identify factors
that may predispose to a need for revision surgery. Medical records and radiographs
from 97 dogs that underwent cTHR were evaluated for signalment, preoperative degree
of osteoarthritis, technical errors, intra-operative culture results, and the post-operative
radiographic appearance of the implant. The complications occurring in the intra-operative
and short-term (<eight week) periods, and the radiographic appearance of the implant
in the long-term (>eight week) time period were recorded. Mean (±SD) follow-up time
was 1.1 ± 1.6 years (range: 0–7.7 years). Seven dogs had a short-term complication
and a revision surgery was performed in eleven dogs. Osseous or cement changes were
radiographically detectable in the majority of cTHR. Eccentric positioning of the
femoral stem and the presence of radiolucent lines at the femoral cement-bone interface
were positively associated with the occurrence of revision surgery. The clinical significance
of the periprosthetic radiographic changes is unclear and further investigation is
warranted.
Keywords
Total hip - complications - dog