Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Linn, Kathleen A
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · Canada
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis is a surgical procedure that can help young dogs with hip problems. When done early and on dogs with only mild to moderate hip looseness, this surgery can improve how well the hip joints fit together and may help prevent or slow down hip joint disease. It's important to think of this surgery as a way to prevent issues rather than just a treatment for existing problems. If you have a dog that might be at risk for hip dysplasia (a condition where the hip joint doesn't fit properly), it's a good idea to have them checked at around 12 weeks old, and if they show signs of hip looseness, further tests or surgery might be recommended. Overall, this procedure can be beneficial when done at the right time and on the right dogs.
Abstract
In properly selected dogs, juvenile pubic symphysiodesis improves joint congruity, decreases hip laxity, and can reverse or prevent progression of degenerative joint disease in the hips. To be effective, surgery must be done at a young age and in hips that are only mildly to moderately lax. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis is best viewed more as a preemptive procedure than as a strictly therapeutic one. Dogs considered to be at risk for hip dysplasia should be screened with Ortolani testing at 12 weeks of age, with further imaging and perhaps surgery to follow for those who have a positive Ortolani sign.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28576272/