Ventral Approach for the Placement of a Toggle Rod in Two Dogs with Caudoventral Hip Luxation

Introduction: This report describes two dogs with caudoventral luxation of the coxofemoral joint, treated via a ventral approach with a toggle rod and capsulorraphy.

Materials and Methods: Two dogs presented for lameness associated with recurrent caudoventral coxofemoral luxation that had failed to respond to multiple attempts at conservative management. A ventral approach to the coxofemoral joint was used to assess the joint capsule, transverse acetabular ligament, and ligament of the head of the femur. In both cases the joint capsule and ligament of the head of the femur were deficient but the femoral head would luxate over, rather than through the transverse acetabular ligament. A toggle rod was applied via a ventral approach using the same landmarks described for its application via the dorsal approach.

Results: Both dogs had good functional outcomes at 8 weeks and 4–5 months postoperatively. Coxofemoral extension was mildly decreased. Radiographs showed mild enlargement of the femoral bone tunnel and but no progressive degenerative changes of the coxofemoral joint.

Discussion/Conclusion: Caudoventral coxofemoral luxations result in variable damage to the supporting structures of the coxofemoral joint. Thorough assessment of the supportive structures requires a ventral approach and this also allows stabilization and reconstruction to be tailored to the individual case. This technique was successful at maintaining reduction of the coxofemoral joint and had a good functional outcome in the medium term.

Acknowledgment: There was no proprietary interest or funding provided for this project.