Arthroscopic placement of a toggle rod to correct coxofemoral luxation in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a minimally invasive toggle repair technique under arthroscopic guidance to correct a coxofemoral luxation in a canine.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report ANIMALS: A 9-year-old, male (neutered) Alaskan husky.

METHODS: Prior to surgery, the coxofemoral luxation was reduced in a closed fashion. With standard arthroscopic portals, the completely torn round ligament was removed with a motorized shaver. A bone tunnel was created between the femoral head and the acetabulum by using an intra-articular drill guide, guide wires, and a cannulated drill bit. A toggle rod was inserted into the bone tunnel and tied to a 4-hole button located over the third trochanter. The implant position was confirmed via fluoroscopy.

RESULTS: Within 24 hours of surgery, the dog was weight bearing with mild lameness. Six weeks postoperatively, radiographic assessment revealed that the implant location was unchanged, with no lameness documented. At 6 months postoperatively, the dog had returned to normal function with no reported complications.

CONCLUSION: The toggle rod repair of a coxofemoral luxation under arthroscopic guidance was successful in the dog described in this case report.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Minimally invasive, arthroscopic guided toggle rod stabilization may be an alternative to the currently accepted open approach when addressing coxofemoral luxations.