Buzzy is a rescue yorkshire terrier, and one of our smaller canine patients at just over 3 Kg. Buzzy was involved in a dog fight which resulted in right coxo-femoral luxation. Buzzy’s hip was reduced shortly after luxation, but as is often the case, Buzzy’s hip reluxated and his owners opted for surgical stabilisation. Buzzy’s hip was explored surgically and torn soft tissue and a haematoma was removed from the acetabulum. The coxofemoral joint was stabilised with a toggle system which involves passing a small metal rod (the toggle) attached to high tensile braided nylon through a drilled bone tunnel in the femoral neck, head and acetabulum before tensioning and securing the nylon against the femur. After a period of rest, Buzzy made an uneventful recovery from surgery.
Pre-operative radiograph showing craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation
Post-operative radiograph showing reduced coxofemoral joint and toggle repair