In this episode, Karen Perry and Hannah Capon discuss surgical options for osteoarthritis in dogs, particularly for hip and elbow disease. Karen explains when surgery is necessary versus when conservative management (e.g., medication and rehab) is sufficient. They explore the complexities of elbow surgeries and the success rates of different interventions. The episode provides insight into the timing and risks of various surgeries, emphasizing the importance of a tailored approach to each dog’s needs. (published in March 2020 - https://youtu.be/0fY0unlShYM )

Biography:

• Karen Perry: Associate Professor in small animal orthopedics at Michigan State University with a special focus on managing degenerative joint diseases. She is an expert in surgical options for hip and elbow dysplasia, having trained and worked extensively in the UK and the US, contributing research and expertise in veterinary orthopedics.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hip dysplasia requires careful assessment: Surgery isn’t always necessary in young dogs. Medical management may help delay surgery until it’s clear that it’s needed.
2. Early surgical interventions: Procedures like juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) and triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) must be performed very early (young puppies) with the goal of preventing hip arthritis in dogs with hip dysplasia; these procedures are infrequently performed, partly because dogs may not be showing clinical signs of pain despite having hip dysplasia.
3. Femoral head and neck excision (FHO): This procedure can provide relief, but requires intensive rehabilitation for optimal outcome.
4. Total hip replacement: Considered the gold standard for restoring normal joint function, but it’s expensive and comes with risks.
5. Elbow surgeries are more complex: Surgical success is often limited in elbow dysplasia cases, making conservative management the foundation of management in most cases.

Relevant Links: CAM education platform: Learn more from our courses - https://cameducation.co.uk

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Learn more about CARE: https://caninearthritis.org
READ MORE about HIP and ELBOW DYSPLASIA -
https://caninearthritis.org/article/dod-hip-dyplasia/
https://caninearthritis.org/article/dod-elbow-dysplasia/

Have questions send them to: info@caninearthritis.co.uk

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.