Legg Calve Perthes Disease

About more than two months ago, Terri, a Jack Russel Terrier, underwent femoral head ostectomy (removal of the femoral head) of the right hip. This February, during the orthopedic workshop, the left femoral head will also be removed.

Why is that?

It is because Terri has been diagnosed with Legg Calve Perthes Disease (Avascular, Aseptic developmental osteonecrosis of the femoral head and neck).

What?! Basic Terms Please!

This is a genetic disease of small breeds where there is decreased blood supply (avascular) to the femoral head and neck causing that part of the body tho die (osteonecrosis) aseptically (no infection). The death of the area causes the irregularly shaped femoral head with new bone spicules growing. These bone spicules or fragments causes pain and limping as it bumps and grind with the acetabulum (socket of the hip where the femoral head fits).

This is Terri before the surgery, after induction of anesthesia.

This radiograph was taken a day before the second surgery, notice that the right femoral head (your left) is already gone (operated November 2008). Now, its time for the left femoral head to be removed.

Femoral head ostectomy will prevent pain and limping experienced by the dog due to the contact of new irregular bone spicules with the acetabulum. And since JRT's are fairly muscular dogs, they are able to gain good gait a few weeks after surgery provided adequate care and management is given.