Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO)

A Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO) is a surgical procedure used to relieve chronic hip pain in pets when the hip joint is no longer functioning comfortably. It is most commonly recommended for pets with severe hip injury or disease where restoring a normal joint is not possible or practical.

What the Surgery Involves

During a femoral head osteotomy:

  • Your pet is placed under general anesthesia
  • The damaged femoral head and neck (the “ball” portion of the hip joint) are surgically removed
  • This eliminates painful bone-on-bone contact
  • Over time, the body forms a false joint (fibrous joint) that allows comfortable movement

Although the hip no longer functions as a true ball-and-socket joint, most pets experience significant improvement in comfort and quality of life.

What to Expect During Recovery

Proper home care is critical to successful healing:

  • Limping is normal early in recovery
  • Improvement is gradual over several weeks
  • Smaller pets often regain excellent function
  • Larger pets can still do well, especially with consistent rehabilitation and weight management

When to Contact Us or Your GP

Contact a veterinarian right away if you notice:

  • Increased swelling, redness, or discharge at the incision
  • Persistent or worsening pain
  • Fever, lethargy, or loss of appetite
  • The incision opening or sutures coming loose

Our Goal

The goal of a femoral head osteotomy is to eliminate pain and restore comfortable mobility, allowing your pet to return to daily activities with improved quality of life. If you have questions about whether an FHO is right for your pet or about recovery expectations, please reach out, we’re here to support you every step of the way.