Total hip replacement restores function in dog with hip dysplasia

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A new UC Davis case spotlight is putting total hip replacement back in focus for canine hip dysplasia, using the recovery of a young dog named Andy to show how surgery can restore mobility and comfort when medical management stops being enough. According to UC Davis, Andy, a golden retriever-poodle mix, was first diagnosed after abnormal behavior and pain as a puppy, then progressed to severe left hip dysplasia with luxation before receiving a total hip replacement in September 2025. The veterinary school published the case on April 27, 2026. (behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu)

The case follows a familiar clinical arc. Hip dysplasia was identified early, but surgery was not immediately required. UC Davis clinicians initially discussed continued management, femoral head osteotomy, and total hip replacement, and Andy’s pet parents chose to delay surgery while pursuing supportive care. That included a 10% weight loss goal, omega-3 supplementation, and rehabilitation-style exercises. Within 10 months, however, lameness and discomfort worsened, and updated radiographs in June 2025 showed moderate arthritis plus severe dysplasia with joint luxation. (behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu)

That progression aligns with broader guidance from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. ACVS says early-intervention procedures such as juvenile pubic symphysiodesis and DPO/TPO are best suited to younger patients before arthritic change is established, while total hip replacement is typically reserved for dogs that are at least about a year old and are no longer good candidates for those earlier options. ACVS also distinguishes THR from femoral head ostectomy by noting that THR is intended to reproduce more normal hip mechanics and range of motion, whereas FHO is primarily a salvage procedure for pain relief rather than restoration of normal function. (acvs.org)

In Andy’s case, UC Davis used CT imaging in July 2025 to plan the procedure, then implanted a biologic total hip system in September 2025, replacing both the femoral head and acetabulum with metal components sized to the dog’s anatomy. Postoperative radiographs showed appropriate implant positioning, and Andy remained hospitalized for six days with analgesia, anti-inflammatory treatment, and activity restriction. Recovery then depended on strict confinement and controlled leash-only activity until a three-month recheck, reflecting how much postoperative management influences outcome in these cases. (behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu)

The larger evidence base supports the clinical logic behind that decision, while also adding nuance. A 2022 evidence review found that both THR and femoral head ostectomy can reduce long-term pain in dogs with hip dysplasia, but concluded the comparative evidence is weak and does not clearly prove superiority of one over the other for pain reduction alone. At the same time, older and newer literature consistently positions THR as the option most likely to restore near-normal function in appropriately selected dogs, with success rates above 90% reported in established experience and strong owner-reported satisfaction in registry data. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

There are also important cautions for clinicians. A 2024 retrospective study of dogs with luxoid hip dysplasia found higher rates of major complications after total hip arthroplasty than in non-luxoid cases, especially intraoperative femoral fissure or fracture and postoperative dorsal luxation, although most dogs that required revision still achieved satisfactory outcomes. That matters here because Andy’s case included luxation on preoperative imaging, making the successful result notable but also a reminder that these are not routine hips. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

The specialty landscape is also evolving in ways that could affect referral patterns. NC State has highlighted expanding access to uncemented hip replacement systems beyond medium and large dogs, with newer implants and instrumentation becoming available for cats and miniature dogs. The hospital says David Knazovicky has performed nearly 200 uncemented hip replacements in larger dogs and is among a small number of surgeons completing an ACVS-approved joint replacement fellowship; NC State is one of only about 10 institutions approved to provide that training. The program also notes the appeal of uncemented designs, which avoid the cement-bone interface that can loosen over time in cemented systems. (news.cvm.ncsu.edu)

Why it matters: For general practitioners, this case is less about a feel-good recovery story and more about referral strategy. It reinforces the value of monitoring young dogs with diagnosed dysplasia over time, counseling pet parents on the limits of long-term medical management, and discussing surgical pathways before function declines too far. It also highlights the importance of setting expectations: THR can be life-changing, but it requires advanced imaging in some cases, a skilled orthopedic team, and rigorous postoperative restriction. At the same time, the pool of centers building this expertise is growing, including programs investing in fellowship training, uncemented systems, and smaller-patient instrumentation that may gradually broaden access. (news.cvm.ncsu.edu)

What to watch: Watch for more case reporting and outcomes data that clarify which dysplastic dogs benefit most from THR versus FHO, especially in complex hips with luxation, and how expanding uncemented implant options for smaller dogs and cats may reshape joint replacement referrals at specialty centers. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, news.cvm.ncsu.edu)