Combined intra-extra-articular technique for stabilisation of coxofemoral luxation: Preliminary results in two dogs

Objective: To report a new technique for re- pairing traumatic cranio-dorsal coxofemoral luxation in dogs. Methods: Stabilisation of hip luxation was carried out in two dogs: a one-year-old male Border Collie and an eight-year-old female American Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A caudal approach was performed to expose the hip joint. Following this, a 2.5 mm hole was drilled through the acetabular wall at the original at- tachment of the round ligament, followed by a tunnel between the fovea capitis and the proximal third of the femur. Nylon tape was tied in a clove hitch knot around the femoral neck. The tape was placed as a bridge over the ischial spine to create an acetabular roof in order to increase articular stabilisation. Results: Follow-up examinations were per- formed at 10, 40 and 90 days after surgery.The dogs did not show any signs of lameness, pain or reoccurrence of the luxation during any of the follow-up examinations. Clinical significance: This tape-technique enabled reinforcement of the acetabular roof which in turn increased the stability of the joint.