Total Hip Replacement
A good candidate for total hip replacement (THR) must be at least 9-12 months old to be sure he has finished developing and weigh at least 30 lb. The hip implant for dogs is similar to its human counterpart, but it is much smaller. X-rays are used to determine the dimensions of an appropriately-sized implant.
The femoral stem is usually made of cobalt chrome or stainless steel, while the cup is made of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. Polymethyl methacrylate is the cement used with cemented implants, whereas 250-micrometres (diameter) titanium beads usually cover the stem surface of the press-fit implants.
The THR is expected to last 10-15 years, which usually surpasses the remaining lifetime of the dog. In less than 5% of cases, the THR will malfunction through loosening of the acetabular cup or femoral fracture. However rare these failures are, they must be corrected immediately with revision surgery.
Read more about this topic: Organ Replacement In Animals
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