Treatment of a coxofemoral luxation in a pony using a prosthetic capsule technique.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Prosthetic Capsule Stabilisation of Hip Dislocation in a Pony Craniodorsal hip dislocations are rare in equines and present significant surgical challenges; this case report documents successful management of such an injury in an 8-year-old, 113 kg pony stallion using an innovative stabilisation technique. Following open reduction via a craniodorsal approach under general anaesthesia, the surgeons implanted four 3.5 mm cortical anchor screws into the dorsal acetabular rim and femoral neck, then threaded a figure-8 pattern of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene suture (#5 USP) through these anchors to functionally recreate the joint capsule. A medial patellar desmotomy accompanied routine closure, with strict cross-tying enforced for four weeks postoperatively to prevent recumbency and joint re-luxation. At 15-month follow-up, the pony remained sound with no short- or long-term complications, suggesting the prosthetic capsule technique offers a viable salvage option for hip stabilisation in lightweight equines where traditional capsular repair may be compromised. The technique's success in this case warrants consideration as part of the surgical toolkit for equine hip pathology, particularly where soft tissue damage precludes conventional repair methods.

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Key Findings

• •Open reduction with prosthetic capsule technique using polyethylene suture anchored to acetabulum and femoral neck successfully stabilized a craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in a pony
• •No short-term or long-term complications occurred following surgery with cross-tying restriction for 4 weeks postoperatively
• •Pony achieved soundness at 15-month follow-up examination

Conditions Studied