Clinical evaluation of denervation of the canine hip joint capsule: a retrospective study of 117 dogs

It was the aim of this study to evaluate denervation of the canine hip joint capsule as a newly developed surgical method for treatment of hip joint dysplasia and arthrosis of dogs. Denervation by surgical deperiostation of the cranio-lateral acetabulum is the presumed mechanism. We performed the denervation in 117 cases between 1997 and 1999. Clinical evaluation was documented by physical examination by a veterinarian immediately before and two months after the operation and a questionnaire completed by the dog owners. 90.6% of the patients showed an improvement of the clinical signs yielding a significant treatment effect (p <0.0001). 50.4% were even completely free of signs. 56% of the patients showed a clinical improvement within the first three days after surgery. We, therefore, conclude that denervation of the canine hip joint capsule is a successful surgical method for treatment of canine hip joint dysplasia and arthrosis.