Toggle rod stabilization for treatment of hip joint luxation in dogs: 62 cases (2000-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To determine outcome of open toggle rod stabilization in dogs with luxation of the hip joint. Design-Retrospective case series.


METHODS
62 dogs.


METHODS
Information on signalment, surgical procedure, and postoperative care was obtained from the medical records. A questionnaire was sent to all owners to solicit follow-up information.


RESULTS
The distribution for time between luxation and surgery was bimodal, with 24 (39%) dogs examined < or = 2 days after injury and 23 (37%) examined > 7 days after injury. Postoperative complications developed in 16 of the 62 (26%) dogs, with complications developing within 1 week after surgery in 10 of the 16. The most common complication was reluxation, which occurred in 7 dogs. Dogs in which surgery time was < 2 hours were significantly less likely to have a reluxation (2/40 [5%]) than were dogs in which surgery time was > or = 2 hours (5/22 [23%]). When asked to rate current limb function (0 = no lameness and 5 = non-weightbearing lame) a minimum of 6 months after surgery, 23 of 27 (85%) owners indicated a score of 0 or 1.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the present study suggest that toggle rod stabilization is an effective treatment for hip joint luxation in dogs. However, complications, particularly reluxation, were common.
Demko
Jennifer L
JL
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762-6100, USA.
Sidaway
Brian K
BK
Thieman
Kelley M
KM
Fox
Derek B
DB
Boyle
Carolyn R
CR
McLaughlin
Ron M
RM
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006617:Hip Dislocation / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome