Leading experts in the gold standard treatment for hip disease.
Total hip replacement (THR) is an advanced surgical procedure that removes the ball and socket parts of the hip joint and replaces them with metal and plastic implants. This can be recommended for animals with advanced osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, hip fractures or Legg Perthes disease.
The simple goal of hip replacement surgery is to make your pet fitter, happier, better!
Why we do this?
Hip disease is non life threatening, but it can be hugely life altering. Dogs and cats natural behaviour is to run, play, explore, hunt, zoomies and dog battles! Hip disease can limit this natural behaviour, reducing their quality of life. Hip replacements are aimed not only at alleviating pain, but also and very importantly - restoring quality of life.
Which pets can
benefit from this?
Any dog or cat that is suffering with intractable hip pain or dysfunction (i.e. not responding to pain relief alone), can be considered for total hip replacement.
There is no age, size, disease severity
or breed limitation.
How do we decide who should have a hip replacement?
Hip problems can be harder to spot in some cases than
problems further down the leg, where limping is more obvious.
Examples of issues that may relate to hip problems are:
What’s involved?
A careful assessment of your pet will be needed along with an in depth discussion to decide on whether surgery is appropriate. Surgical removal of the diseased ball and socket. Replacing the ball and socket with advanced implants. The technical and durable materials in the implants can last for a lifetime in the vast majority of patients.
Dr. Stuart Cooke BVetMed CertSAS MRCVS,
RCVS recognised Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery
Why us?
Simply put we’ve carried out over 500 successful Total Hip Replacements over the last 15 years.
We are focused experts in the leading edge of THR technology and surgery. And, probably most importantly, we are passionate about improving the quality of life of our patients and understand implicitly how important a pet's well-being is to its owner.
Over 500 THR
cases undertaken.
15 years of experience.
Instructor, lecturer and
assessor for Kyon on THR surgery.
Accredited
by Kyon.
When can the surgery be done?
Generally dogs with severe hip dysplasia can be considered for surgery from 10 months of age. There is no upper limit on surgery age, but of course more risk is present in older patients. Other diseases or very severe hip dysplasia can force us to operate in patients as young as 5 months of age.
Where can the surgery be done?
Stuart operates out of a variety of centres in the UK. Currently we are offering surgery at:
The surgery step by step
The Process
Vet
A referral will need to be made to one of the centres listed. We would ideally have any history and radiographs relevant to the condition at the time of referral. We will keep you updated at each step and provide detailed information on the management of your patient after the surgery. All forms of hip surgery are offered, including DPO and pubic symphysiodesis.
We are available for an informal discussion prior to, during or anytime after referral by phone, social media or email. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.
If you are interested in acting as a host practice for the procedure, please get in touch. We will provide guidelines and requirements to assess whether your practice meets the appropriate criteria for the procedure. If you aspire to become a THR surgeon, we can participate in your training and assessment.
A free CPD course is available online for Vets wanting to find out more about THR and how to select the best cases for referral;
Client
Talk to your own vet about a referral, then find the most convenient centre listed above near to you if you would like to proceed.
Assessment of your pet will then involve:
- Careful evaluation of the written history as well as a discussion with you. This can be done at one of the sites or remotely via the internet.
- Assessment of x-rays of the hips. This can be done remotely or via the internet.
- Examination of your pet for signs of hip disease and to check there are no other orthopaedic problems that could cause a challenge for us.
After all of the above, we will have a discussion and the options for treatment will be given to you. Details will be given of all treatment options including the pros/cons, the risks involved and the costs incurred. If hip replacement is considered appropriate, and we all agree that it’s the right way forward, the surgery can then be booked.
Details of aftercare and management will be given on an individual basis. Here is a quick video to explain some of the aspects of aftercare.
Join the team or
become a host practice
Are you a Veterinary Surgeon, Nurse or Physiotherapist that would be interested in joining the Hip.Vet project?
If so, please get in touch!
Did you know?
Materials
used in the implants include
Titanium, CFR-PEEK and Ceramic
Dr Stuart Cooke BVetMed CertSAS MRCVS RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Surgery - our lead surgeon has carried out over 500 THRs
12 weeks post surgery your dog can be running and jumping again
Highest risk breeds are Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, Cockerpoos