Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ground reaction forces in cats after total hip replacement or femoral
By Schweng, Gregor et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2024·Department for Companion Animals and Horses·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Measurement of ground reaction forces in cats after total hip replacement.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats that had undergone total hip replacement (THR) surgery were evaluated for their ability to walk and bear weight on the operated leg. The study found that these cats showed better weight distribution and movement compared to those that had a different surgery called femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO). Specifically, the cats with THR had more balanced use of their hind legs and reported better activity levels according to their owners. This suggests that THR may lead to improved recovery and mobility for cats with hip joint issues.
People also search for: cat hip replacement recovery · cat walking problems after surgery · total hip replacement for cats
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate ground reaction forces (GRFs) in cats after unilateral total hip replacement (THR) and compare them with cats after femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO). METHODS: The databases of the Small Animal Clinic of the Veterinary University in Vienna and three referral clinics were searched for cats that had undergone unilateral THR with the BioMedtrix Micro total hip system or FHO more than 6 months previously. Owners were invited to complete a survey and bring their cats for re-examination, inlcuding clinical and orthopaedic examinations, hip radiography and a gait analysis using a pressure-sensitive plate. RESULTS: Nine cats were included in each group. Cats after THR showed larger GRF values (peak vertical force [PFz] and vertical impulse [IFz] normalised to total force [%TF]) on the operated limb. The resulting symmetry indices (SIs) were lower in terms of vertical force in 7/9 (78%) cats and vertical impulse in 6/9 (67%) cats between the hindlimbs in cats after THR compared with FHO - SI (PFz) = 3.31% ± 2.19% (THR) vs 4.84% ± 2.99% (FHO) and SI (IFz) = 5.17% ± 3.66% (THR) vs 8.27% ± 3.12% (FHO). Cats after FHO showed significantly lower muscle circumference and range of motion (ROM) at the operated hindlimb compared with the contralateral side, whereas cats after THR showed no statistically significant differences between their hindlimbs. Owner surveys revealed significant differences in their subjective assessment of activity and change in gait between the two groups, with better values for cats after THR. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This was the first study that measured GRFs in cats after THR. PFz (%TF) and IFz (%TF) values were higher in the operated limb of the THR group than in those of the FHO group, resulting in lower symmetry indices (indicating better symmetry) and better loading of the corresponding hindlimb. This finding is clinically relevant and can help in making decisions regarding the treatment of hip joint pathologies in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39703178/