Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) Surgery in Roseville, CA

Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) represents a surgical solution for severe hip joint problems when other treatment options have been exhausted or are not suitable for your pet’s condition. This orthopedic procedure involves removing the femoral head and neck from the thigh bone, eliminating the painful bone-on-bone contact that occurs in diseased hip joints affected by severe hip dysplasia, hip luxation, or degenerative conditions. The FHO procedure allows the body to create a false joint from scar tissue, providing significant improvement in mobility and pain relief for many pets.

At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, our surgical team in Roseville and the surrounding areas provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for pets requiring femoral head ostectomy. Dr. Erin Paster is a board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of experience performing orthopedic procedures, bringing advanced surgical training to help your pet achieve the best possible outcome. With careful attention to surgical technique, pain management, and proper rehabilitation, we help most pets return to a pain-free, active lifestyle.

Understanding Femoral Head Ostectomy and the Hip Joint

The normal hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint where the femoral head (the ball-shaped end of the thigh bone) fits into the hip socket (acetabulum) of the pelvic bone. This ball-and-socket joint allows for smooth, pain-free movement in a healthy hip. However, when this joint becomes severely damaged due to hip dysplasia, traumatic injury, infection, or other conditions, the resulting bone-on-bone contact causes chronic pain and mobility limitations that dramatically impact your pet’s quality of life.

Hip dysplasia occurs when the normal hip joint develops abnormally, leading to joint laxity, instability, cartilage damage, and progressive, severe arthritis. In a normal hip, the femoral head and neck move smoothly within the hip socket. When hip dysplasia or other conditions destroy this smooth articulation, the diseased hip joints cause significant hip pain and lameness that may not respond adequately to conservative management.

The FHO procedure addresses this problem by surgically removing the damaged femoral head and neck. While this changes how the hip joint functions, the body compensates by forming a false joint created by scar tissue and supported by the surrounding muscles. This false joint allows the affected leg to bear weight and move without the bone-on-bone contact that causes chronic pain.

Conditions Requiring Femoral Head Ostectomy

Several conditions may necessitate femoral head ostectomy either as the primary recommended treatment or when conservative treatments have failed to provide adequate pain relief:

Hip Dysplasia and Severe Arthritis

Moderate to severe hip dysplasia with advanced joint damage and severe arthritis represents the most common indication for the FHO procedure, particularly in cases where total hip replacement is not feasible due to patient size, age, or financial considerations. Small breed dogs and cats with hip dysplasia often achieve excellent outcomes with head ostectomy, as their lighter body weight allows the false joint to function effectively.

Hip Luxation and Fractures Involving the Hip Joint

Hip luxation that cannot be successfully reduced or stabilized may require femoral head ostectomy, especially when repeated dislocations occur despite attempts at conservative management. Fractures involving the acetabulum, femoral head, or femoral neck that cannot be repaired surgically may also benefit from this surgical procedure to eliminate hip pain and restore function.

Legg-Perthes Disease

Legg-Perthes disease, also called Aseptic Necrosis of the Femoral Head, causes deformation and deterioration of the femoral head, making smooth articulation of the ball and socket joint impossible. This condition results in substantial hip pain and lameness, particularly in small breed dogs. FHO surgery provides highly successful treatment, offering dogs significant improvement and often restored quality of life.

Pre-Surgical Evaluation for FHO Surgery

A comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether femoral head ostectomy is the most appropriate treatment option for your pet’s hip condition. This assessment begins with a thorough physical exam, evaluation of gait and mobility, and assessment of chronic pain levels to understand the impact of the hip problem on your pet’s daily activities.

Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, provides detailed information about the extent of joint damage and helps confirm that the FHO procedure is likely to provide pain relief and functional improvement. Our veterinarians also evaluate your pet’s overall health status to confirm they are a good candidate for general anesthesia and the surgical procedure.

Patient Selection Criteria

Femoral head ostectomy can be performed on dogs and cats of various sizes, though outcomes may vary based on patient factors. Small breed dogs and cats typically adapt more readily to the procedure and achieve excellent pain-free mobility. Large breed dogs can also benefit from FHO surgery, though they may require more intensive physical therapy and proper rehabilitation to achieve optimal outcomes and rebuild muscle mass in the affected leg.

Patient age, activity level, concurrent health conditions, and degree of muscle atrophy are all considered when determining surgical candidacy. The procedure is typically reserved for cases where conservative management has been unsuccessful or where other surgical options, like total hip replacement, are not appropriate for the individual patient.

The FHO Surgical Procedure

Femoral head ostectomy is performed under general anesthesia using sterile surgical technique. The surgical procedure involves making an incision over the hip joint to access the femoral head and neck. The head ostectomy is performed by carefully removing the femoral head and neck from the thigh bone, eliminating the source of bone-on-bone contact and hip pain.

The surrounding muscles and soft tissues are then sutured to provide support and stability as the healing process begins. Proper surgical technique is critical for optimal outcomes, which is why having a board-certified surgeon like Dr. Paster perform these orthopedic procedures provides important advantages in precision and surgical skill.

Post-Operative Pain Management and Recovery

Effective pain management is a priority following FHO surgery. We use multimodal pain relief strategies, including injectable and oral medications to keep your pet comfortable during the initial recovery period. Most pets show significant improvement in comfort within the first few days as the source of chronic pain has been removed, even as surgical healing continues.

The healing process typically takes 4-6 weeks for bone and soft tissue healing, though functional improvement continues for several months as the false joint develops and surrounding muscles strengthen. During this time, pain management protocols are adjusted based on your pet’s individual needs and progress.