Comparative Clinical, Radiographic and Goniometric Evaluation of Femoral Head Ostectomy and Femoral Head and Neck Excision in Dogs with Canine Hip Dysplasia

Background: Canine hip dysplasia can result in chronic hindlimb lameness and impaired hip mobility. Objective: This study compared clinical, radiographic, goniometric, intraoperative, and histopathological findings after femoral head ostectomy (FHO) and femoral head and neck excision (FHNE). Methods: Eight intact male Golden or Labrador Retrievers with bilateral canine hip dysplasia, aged 6–11 months, were randomly allocated to FHO or FHNE (four dogs per group), and the more severely affected hip was treated. All procedures used a craniolateral approach. Surgical duration, incision length, tissue trauma, wound healing, radiographs, hip range of motion, lameness scores, and femoral head histopathology were assessed during a 90-day follow-up. Results: Mean operative duration was 58.75 ± 4.27 minutes for FHO and 53.75 ± 2.39 minutes for FHNE, without a statistically significant between-group difference. Immediate postoperative radiographs showed incomplete resection and persistent bone-to-bone contact in two FHO cases, whereas all four FHNE cases showed complete resection without contact. Hip extension and range of motion increased postoperatively in both groups. Lameness scores increased transiently on day 7 and subsequently declined to 0.25 ± 0.25 in both groups by day 90. Histopathology demonstrated trabecular disruption, subchondral osteonecrosis, marrow hypocellularity, and adipocyte replacement. Conclusion: Both procedures were associated with improved limb function over 90 days, while FHNE produced more complete radiographic resection in this small clinical series.