VETERINARY MEDICINE& BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Total hip replacement (THR) is the

only procedure that completely elimi-

nates pain while restoring full-function to

a diseased hip joint. As such, it is the pre-

ferred surgical treatment for a number of

conditions such as hip dysplasia, hip luxa-

tions, and intra-articular fractures.

Total hip replacement (THR) has been

performed on client-owned dogs since

the 1970’s. Initial hip replacement systems

mimicked those used in humans, and re-

quired the use of medical grade bone

cement (PMMA) to secure both the ac-

etabular and femoral implants in proper

position. Over the next several decades,

advances in implant design and cement-

ing techniques resulted in newer “genera-

tions” of THR systems.

The newest cemented THR system

is manufactured by Biomedtrix (www.

biomedtrix.com) and is known as the CFX®

system. Results with the CFX system are

excellent; 90-95% of canine patients

have resolution of lameness, full return

to function, and no long-term complica-

tions. However, some inherent risks exist

with the use of bone cement, including

implant infection and aseptic loosening,

a process in which the cement-bone inter-

face is slowly destroyed resulting in failure

of the THR. These same risks also occur

in human cemented THRs. For this rea-

son, THR systems were developed to elim-

inate the use of bone cement.

Cementless implants are of larger size

and have a porous titanium coating which

allows the patient’s bone to grow into the

implants after surgery. A cementless THR

system was used by veterinary surgeons in

Updates in canine hip replacement

NOTESsurgery

Vol. 1, No. 1 ~ Fall 2010 a quarterly publication of the small animal surgery service atthe Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Did you know?There are currently three hip replacement systems available for veterinary use. The

Biomedtrix system has been used in over 50,000 cases, and is the only system that allows placement of cementless or cemented implants. This unsurpassed versatility is one of the reasons why we perform Biomedtrix total hip replacements.

Canine hip replacement factoids...

• Until recently, total hip re-placement (THR) was typically re-served for mature, large or giant breed dogs with severe osteoar-thritis of the hip

• An updated THR system is now available that uses a “press fit”, which allows bone ingrowth into the components, eliminating the need for bone cement

• This biological fixation sys-tem (BFX) allows THRs to be per-formed in younger dogs (even 10-12 months) and has many ad-vantages over other systems

• We also have THR implants for use in small breed dogs and cats

Buzz DeCola, a hip replacement patient at the Small Animal Hospital.

VD radiograph of dog with severe hip dysplasia

the 80’s and 90’s at North Carolina State

University and results were extremely

encouraging.

Biomedtrix has developed and re-

leased an updated cementless hip re-

placement system based on the NCSU

design. The Biomedtrix BFX® hip has

been in use since 2004, and is the system

of choice for many hip replacement sur-

geons. Similar to the CFX hip, clinical

results with the BFX hip appear to be

outstanding, with 90–95% of dogs hav-

ing excellent outcomes. It also appears

that the incidence of aseptic loosening

may be decreased when compared with

cemented systems.

One advantage of the Biomedtrix sys-

tem is the universal surgical technique

that is used. A single surgical technique

allows surgeons to use either CFX or

BFX components in their patients. Al-

though it is ideal to use BFX implants in

every case, some dogs are not good can-

didates for BFX implants due to bone

shape and bone quality. The Biomed-

trix system allows “hybridization” of im-

plants for these dogs, which is the com-

bination of BFX or CFX components.

Not only does Biomedtrix produce

the leading THR system, but they have

also developed smaller implants for use

in small breed dogs and cats! Indica-

tions for THR in these patients include

treatment of hip dysplasia, Perthes’ dis-

ease, hip luxations, and fractures involv-

ing the hip joint. With the arrival of the

microTHR, surgeons can now provide

patients with pain-free, normal func-

tion regardless of their size.

Why should you

consider referring

your hip dysplasia

cases to Texas A&M?

Texas A&M or-

thopedic surgeons

use the Biomedtrix THR systems. We

have been performing THRs since the

1980’s, and our faculty have a wealth of

experience with the procedure. We have

a passion for hip replacement surgery,

and are committed to the highest level

of surgical, peri-operative, and post-

operative care. We realize that cost is

of central importance for most clients

considering THR for their pet; pricing

at Texas A&M is extremely competitive.

Although Texas A&M is a teaching

hospital, success with THR is directly

related to surgical experience. As such,

all THRs are performed exclusively

by ACVS Diplomates. Finally, cases

referred to Texas A&M for THR are

screened meticulously before surgery,

and a prolonged consultation occurs

between the THR surgeon and client.

Medical and surgical treatment options

are covered, as well as specific surgical

options for their pet.

Dr. Brian Saunders is a 2001 graduate of

the Texas A&M University College of Veteri-

nary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (DVM)

and a 2005 graduate of Texas A&M University

Health Science Center (PhD). After comple-

tion of a small animal surgical residency,

he joined the faculty as a Clinical Assistant

Professor in Orthopedic Surgery in 2009.

Dr. Saunders clinical interests include joint

replacement, arthroscopy, and minimally in-

vasive fracture repair. He also has a strong

research interest, and is in the process of es-

tablishing a cell biology laboratory to investi-

gate the molecular aspects of common ortho-

pedic conditions.

Visit the VMTH Small Animal Surgery Service on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/services/orthopedics

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Brian Saunders

Radiographs of a dog before and after BFX total hip replacement.

Left: Biomedtrix® BFX implants; Right: Biomedtrix® CFX implants