Femoral Head Ostectomy & Luxating Patella in a Cat

A femoral head ostectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed a feline that is experiencing hip joint issues. A luxating patella, on the other hand, is a condition that affects the feline knee cap. The prognosis for both are positive, although the treatment period can be lengthy. Educating yourself on both can help to put your mind at ease and also make the healing time easier to handle and less stressful.

  1. About Femoral Head Ostectomies

    • Femoral head ostectomies are performed when a cat is experiencing a hip condition that is affecting its mobility. A veterinarian may determine a femoral head ostectomy is necessary if your cat suffers from dysplasia, arthritis, luxatiion or has experienced some kind of trauma. A femoral head ostectomy can provide relief in these circumstances, allowing for improved mobility in your cat as well as treating its pain. Alternative pain treatments can lead to kidney problems, so a femoral head ostectomy can be a better alternative for long-term pain relief.

    Procedure and Prognosis

    • During a femoral head ostectomy, the top of the femur, or the bone in the leg that extends from the knee all the way up to the pelvis, is cut off and removed entirely. A replacement joint can be attached, but the most cost efficient method is to simply close up the incision and allow the joint to heal. Over time, scar tissue will form where the femoral head once was, created a false joint that acts just as the bone did. Your cat will walk with a limp for a while, but over time it will be virtually indiscernible.

    About Luxating Patellas

    • A luxating patella occurs when a cat's knee cap dislocates itself from its normal alignment. This can be due to a prior injury or a congenital deformity. When the knee cap slips from its position, your cat will have difficulty bending its leg and may experience pain or discomfort when trying to bear weight on the affected limb. Most of the time, the knee cap will slip back into place on its own, although it can become permanently dislodged in some cases.

    Treatment

    • For mild cases of luxating patella, your cat's veterinarian may recommend home treatment methods. For instance, a new diet may be prescribed if your cat is overweight, since increased weight on the affected limb can cause further complications. Also, the veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammitories and vitamin supplements such as glucosamine to treat the joint. If your cat's condition does not improve or if it is experiencing lameness as a result of its luxating patella, surgery to secure the wandering knee cap may be the best solution.