Femoral head ostectomy
Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) is a procedure that aims to restore pain-free mobility to a diseased or damaged hip, by removing the head and neck of the femur. During surgery the head of the femur that is in socket is removed, leaving an empty socket. The muscles of the leg will initially hold the femur in place and, over time, scar tissue will form between the socket and the femur. After surgery your pet will need to have little to no activity for 2-3 weeks. Once the staples are taken out we require that your pet still has to limit their activity for another 5 to 6 weeks. We offer an option of laser therapy to help your pet with a faster healing process.
Recovery: Typical recovery, as long as the animal isn’t too active during the healing process, is about 10-14 days.
Risks: Like any surgical procedure, there is associated risk with anesthesia and surgery itself, but the overall incidence of complications is very low. Before the procedure, your pet is given a thorough physical examination to ensure that she is in good health. General anesthesia is administered to perform the surgery and medications are given to minimize pain. You will be asked to keep your pet calm and quiet for a few days after surgery as the incision begins to heal.
