Canine Total Hip
Replacement (THR)

Your veterinarian recommended this procedure because your dog is likely experiencing significant pain or a loss of mobility that can no longer be managed with simple lifestyle changes or pain medications. When the hip joint is severely damaged by arthritis or developmental issues, every step can feel like bone rubbing on bone. While pills can mask the discomfort, they don’t fix the underlying mechanical breakdown of the joint. THR is considered the “gold standard” because it addresses the root cause by replacing the worn-out parts. The goal isn’t just to help them walk, but to restore their quality of life so they can play, climb, and move without constant soreness. Ultimately, this recommendation is about moving from “managing disability” to “restoring ability.”

Hip dysplasia often shows up as a gradual slowdown in your dog’s daily activity, which many owners mistake for simple “old age.” You might notice your dog “bunny hopping,” where they move both back legs together instead of taking individual strides. They may struggle to get up from a wooden floor, hesitate before jumping into the car, or stop halfway up a flight of stairs. Some dogs show an obvious limp, while others just become “stiff” after a long walk or a nap. You might also notice their back end looks narrower because they are losing muscle mass from not using those legs properly. If your dog shifts their weight to their front legs or seems unusually grumpy when touched near their hips, these are clear signals of discomfort.

An FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) is a procedure where the “ball” of the hip joint is removed, leaving the body to create a “false joint” out of scar tissue. While an FHO can eliminate bone-on-bone pain, it doesn’t actually restore normal hip mechanics, often resulting in a shorter leg or a permanent limp. In contrast, a THR uses a prosthetic ball and socket to mimic a natural, healthy joint. This allows for a much faster return to a normal range of motion and full weight-bearing capabilities. For large, heavy, or highly active dogs, THR is significantly better because it provides the structural stability needed for running and jumping. Most owners find that THR dogs return to a much higher level of athletic function than those who undergo an FHO.

While THR is a routine procedure for specialists, it is still a major surgery that carries specific risks. The most serious concern is infection; because there is a metal implant involved, the body has a harder time fighting bacteria in that area. There is also a small risk of “luxation,” which is a fancy word for the new joint popping out of place before the muscles are strong enough to hold it. In some cases, the bone could fracture during the fitting of the implant, or the implant could fail to bond with the bone over time. Nerve injury is a rare possibility, which could lead to temporary weakness in the foot. However, we take extreme precautions, including sterile “space suit” environments and rigorous testing, to keep these risks as low as possible.

Not every dog is a candidate for THR, and safety is always our first priority. If your dog has an active infection anywhere—such as a skin hot spot, a urinary tract infection, or bad dental disease—the surgery must be delayed because bacteria can travel through the blood to the new hip. We also look closely at neurological health; if your dog has a spine issue that prevents them from feeling or controlling their legs, a new hip won’t help them walk better. Very young dogs whose bones are still growing rapidly may need to wait until they reach skeletal maturity. Additionally, if a dog’s behavior is so wild that they cannot be safely confined for recovery, we may need to reconsider. Finally, some very small dogs or those with mild symptoms may do just as well with non-surgical management.

You can take comfort in knowing that Total Hip Replacement has one of the highest success rates in veterinary orthopedics. Generally, about 90% to 95% of dogs who undergo the procedure enjoy a complication-free recovery and a total return to function. Most owners report that their dogs seem “years younger” once the surgical soreness wears off and the chronic joint pain is gone. Even in the small percentage of cases where a complication occurs, most can be managed or corrected with additional care. Long-term studies show that the vast majority of patients live out the rest of their lives without ever needing a second surgery on that hip. It is widely considered one of the most life-changing procedures available in modern veterinary medicine.

Unlike human hip replacements, which may need to be “redone” after 15 or 20 years, a dog’s THR is designed to be a permanent, lifetime fix. Because dogs have a shorter lifespan than humans and weigh significantly less, the medical-grade titanium and specialized plastics don’t experience the same level of long-term wear and tear. Once the bone has fully grown into or bonded with the implant, it becomes a structural part of your dog’s skeleton. It does not “wear out” from running or playing, so there is no need to limit your dog’s activity once they are cleared by the surgeon. Barring a very rare late-stage infection or a major injury to the bone around the implant, the hip your dog gets today will be with them for the rest of their life. You can expect them to enjoy their senior years with the same mobility they had as a young adult.

The road to recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, typically lasting about 12-16 weeks. For the first several weeks, your dog must be strictly confined to a crate or a small, padded room to prevent them from jumping or slipping, which could dislodge the new joint. You will need to take them outside on a very short, controlled leash for “potty breaks” only—no off-leash time or stairs allowed. As the weeks progress, we will introduce physical therapy exercises, such as slow hill walks or underwater treadmill sessions, to rebuild the muscles that shrunk during their time of injury. Periodic X-rays will be taken to ensure the bone is healing perfectly around the metal parts. While the restriction is tough on both you and your dog, it is the most critical factor in ensuring the surgery is a long-term success.