Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)

Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) is a procedure that removes the ball from the ball and socket joint of the hip. The surgery is used to remove the bone to bone contact that is causing pain in severely arthritic hips, as a means of salvage for hip dislocations that cannot be reduced properly, for femoral neck fractures that cannot be repaired and acetabular fractures that cannot be reduced adequately. Following removal of the femoral head many surgeons position the joint capsule between the proximal femur and the acetabular rim. This helps to prevent contact of bones after healing is complete. The procedure seems to have developed limitations in use based on dog size (better in smaller and medium sized dogs than large or giant breeds). Since dogs carry up to 70% of their weight on their front legs, the procedure can be used in larger dogs if needed.