Veterinary SurgeryRefer a case
Orthopedic surgery · Kentucky & Southern Indiana
FHO surgery in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky
Dr. Joshua A. Bruce, DVM, DACVS-SA provides board-certified femoral head ostectomy (FHO) for dogs and cats through KVS partner veterinary clinics.
01
What is an FHO?
FHO stands for femoral head ostectomy. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. When the ball (the femoral head) is damaged or the joint is painful, removing the femoral head and neck takes away the bone-on-bone contact. Over the following weeks, a "false joint" of scar tissue forms, and the surrounding muscles support the leg.
02
When is FHO recommended?
Common reasons include fractures of the femoral head or neck, severe arthritis, hip luxation, and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. FHO works best in small to medium-sized dogs and cats; larger dogs usually do better with a total hip replacement. Total hip replacement is a specialized procedure. Dr. Bruce doesn't perform enough of these cases to maintain the standard of care and low complication rate he expects, so when a hip replacement is the better option, he refers to Dr. Barnhart at MedVet Columbus.
03
How the KVS referral model works
Your veterinarian evaluates the hip.
KVS reviews and plans the case.
Surgery stays with the local team at the participating clinic, followed by a coordinated recovery and recheck plan.
04
Recovery
Unlike most orthopedic surgeries, FHO recovery depends on early, controlled use of the leg to build muscle and keep the new joint mobile. Pain control and physical therapy, such as range-of-motion exercises and leash walks, are a big part of recovery. Most dogs are at least toe-touching within 1–2 weeks, and most pets improve steadily over about 6–8 weeks. Discharge instructions include exercises and rehab, and KVS is developing text message and email reminders with a rehab timeline.
05
Service area
Louisville Metro and surrounding Kentucky communities; Lexington and Central Kentucky partner practices; Southern Indiana. KVS is not a walk-in hospital. Availability is coordinated with participating veterinary clinics.
Common questions
Common questions about FHO surgery
Who performs FHO surgery for KVS?
Dr. Joshua A. Bruce, DVM, DACVS-SA, an ACVS board-certified small-animal surgeon and the owner of Kentucky Veterinary Surgery.
Where is FHO surgery performed?
At participating veterinary clinics in Louisville, Lexington, surrounding Kentucky communities, and Southern Indiana.
Can my pet walk normally without the femoral head?
Most small dogs and cats return to comfortable, active use of the leg once the false joint forms and the muscles strengthen. A slight change in gait is possible.
Is FHO done in cats?
Yes. Cats generally do very well after FHO.
How do I get started?
Begin with your primary veterinarian, who can examine your pet, take radiographs, and submit a referral to KVS.
Sources
References
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). Canine Hip Dysplasia / Femoral Head and Neck Excision. https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/canine-hip-dysplasia/
Next step
Start with the veterinary team who knows your pet.
Pet owners: ask your primary veterinarian to submit the referral.
Find a partner clinic