An anatomic plate provides successful outcomes for stabilization of periprosthetic femoral fractures and greater trochanteric osteotomies in dogs undergoing total hip replacement.
Lotsikas PJ, Fink OT, Murphy S, Lirtzman RA, Kim SE, Lu M, Rochat M · Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 31 July 2026
A locking proximal femoral anatomic plate reliably achieves bone healing and full function in canine THR-related periprosthetic fractures and trochanteric osteotomies.
This retrospective case series evaluated the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a locking proximal femoral anatomic bone plate for managing periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) and greater trochanteric osteotomies (GTOs) in dogs undergoing total hip replacement (THR). Medical records from August 2023 to February 2026 were reviewed, yielding 11 cases: 8 with PFF and 3 with GTO. Cases involving a second plate, preexisting surgical site infection, or THR implant removal were excluded. In the PFF group, the median patient age was 7.5 years; three fractures occurred intraoperatively and five within 30 days postoperatively. In the GTO group, the median age was 2 years; one case was a revision of a previously failed pin and tension-band repair, and two were primary GTO repairs. Radiographic bone healing and full limb function were achieved in all 8 PFF cases. Among GTO cases, 2 achieved complete radiographic healing and 1 demonstrated delayed union but remained stable at 12 weeks; all GTO cases achieved full or acceptable function. One major complication occurred in the PFF group—inadequate fixation—which was successfully revised using a larger plate. The study concludes that the locking proximal femoral anatomic bone plate provides reliable fixation and favorable outcomes for both PFFs and elective GTOs in dogs undergoing THR, offering a viable implant option for these challenging clinical scenarios. Limitations include small sample size, short follow-up duration, and the retrospective, multi-institutional nature of the study.
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