Hip injuries can be painful for cats and make it hard for them to walk, jump, and play. When the hip joint is badly damaged, veterinarians may recommend surgery. Two common options are:
- Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO), where part of the hip joint is removed
- Total Hip Replacement (THR), where the damaged joint is replaced with an artificial one
Two recent studies looked at how cats do after these surgeries. The results give us a better understanding of what life may be like for cats after treatment.
Study 1: How do cats walk after FHO surgery?
In the first study, Schnabl-Feichter et al. looked at 17 cats that had undergone FHO surgery at least one year earlier and compared them with healthy cats.
Most cat owners felt their cats were doing very well after surgery. Many owners reported little or no pain and believed their cats were walking normally.
However, when the researchers used a special pressure-sensitive walkway to measure how much weight the cats placed on each leg, they found something interesting. The cats that had undergone FHO were still putting slightly less weight on the operated leg, even years later.
In fact, some cats that appeared normal during a routine veterinary examination still showed measurable differences when their gait was tested.
The good news is that most cats were functioning well and living comfortable lives. The takeaway is that FHO can provide good pain relief and allow cats to return to normal activities, but some subtle changes in how they move may remain long-term.
Study 2: Is total hip replacement better than FHO?
In the second study, Schweng et al. compared nine cats that had undergone total hip replacement with nine cats that had undergone FHO.
The researchers again used a pressure-sensitive walkway to measure how evenly the cats used their legs.
Cats that received a total hip replacement generally performed better.
Compared with cats that had undergone FHO, cats with a hip replacement:
- Put more weight on the operated leg
- Walked with better symmetry between both hind legs
- Had better hip range of motion
- Maintained more muscle mass in the operated leg
- Were less likely to show lameness during examination
- Received better scores from their owners for activity and mobility
Interestingly, none of the cats in the THR group showed pain when the hip was examined, while many cats in the FHO group still had some discomfort during manipulation of the hip.
This does not mean that FHO is a bad surgery. In fact, FHO remains a valuable option and can help many cats live comfortably. However, when total hip replacement is available and appropriate, it may provide a more normal return to function.
My take
These studies highlight something we see often in veterinary rehabilitation: cats can appear normal while still having subtle movement changes that are difficult to detect with the naked eye.
FHO remains an excellent salvage procedure and can provide meaningful pain relief and improved quality of life. Many cats do very well after surgery.
That said, these studies suggest that total hip replacement may restore more normal limb function, preserve muscle mass, and result in better long-term mobility when compared with FHO.
The decision between FHO and THR depends on many factors, including the cat’s size, age, underlying problems, surgeon experience, owner goals, and financial considerations. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.
What these studies show is that both surgeries can help cats, but total hip replacement may offer the closest return to normal function for many patients.
References
Schnabl-Feichter et al. Measurement of ground reaction forces in cats 1 year after femoral head and neck ostectomy. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2021.
Schweng et al. Measurement of ground reaction forces in cats after total hip replacement. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2024.
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