FHO: Off with Its Head
It sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Femoral Head Ostectomy or FHO for short literally means “removal of the head of the femur.” In other words, yes, we are actually taking the “ball” out of your pet’s hip joint.
Before you gasp, know this: it is not a medieval punishment. It is a modern solution for pain.
What’s Going On in There?
Your pet’s hip is a classic ball and socket joint. The ball (femoral head) fits neatly into the socket (part of the pelvis) and together they allow smooth, pain-free movement.
When the hip is healthy, cartilage cushions the bones, ligaments keep things stable, and muscles power the motion. When the hip joint is damaged due to arthritis, injury, dislocation, or disease, it can cause bone-on-bone contact, inflammation, and constant pain.
That is where an FHO comes in.
What Exactly Happens in an FHO?
During the procedure, the veterinarian surgically removes the femoral head (the ball). Without that damaged piece rubbing around in the socket, the pain stops.
Here is the amazing part: your pet’s body can adapt. Over time, scar tissue and muscle support form what we call a false joint. This new “joint” might not be quite as perfect as the original, but it is painless and fully functional.
Why Is It Important for Comfort?
Chronic hip pain is exhausting for pets. It can make them limp, avoid playing, and even stop wanting to get up to greet you at the door. Pain also takes a toll on their overall well-being. It can cause stress, poor appetite, and loss of muscle.
An FHO takes away the source of pain, allowing pets to:
- Walk without limping
- Play without wincing
- Regain muscle strength and confidence
For many dogs and cats, especially small to medium-sized dogs and all cats, this surgery can mean the difference between a life of discomfort and a life of comfortable movement.
Meet Jasper
Picture of Jasper here
Jasper was a lanky, caramel-colored mixed-breed dog with one ear that always stood up and one ear that stubbornly flopped over. He had a strange love for licking the dishwasher door after dinner and an obsession with stealing single socks (never the pair).
One afternoon, while trying to catch a Frisbee in the park, Jasper landed wrong. At first, his owners thought it was just a sprain, until they noticed he would not put any weight on his back leg and gave them a look that clearly said he was not impressed with the suggestion of a short walk.
X-rays revealed the problem: his femoral head had slipped completely out of the socket. Under anesthesia, we tried to carefully guide the hip back into place, a process called closed reduction. It worked for about a day. Jasper’s hip kept slipping right back out, a condition known as recurrent hip luxation.
At that point, it became clear that repairing the existing joint was not going to keep him comfortable. That is when we recommended an FHO.
The Road to Recovery
The first few weeks after surgery, Jasper did what most dogs do. He gave us his best “you have betrayed me” face and refused to follow the physical therapy plan. With patience, short walks, and a lot of cheese bribes, he started using his leg again.
Within three months, Jasper was back to trotting proudly around the neighborhood, one floppy ear bouncing along. His owners swear he runs even faster now, and yes, he is still stealing socks.
The Bottom Line
An FHO might sound like a big deal, and it is, but it is also a reliable, proven way to relieve severe hip pain, especially when the joint will not stay in place. No metal implants, no squeaky hinges, just your pet’s own body learning to move in a pain-free way again.
For pets like Jasper, it means getting back to the joy of everyday life, whether that is catching a Frisbee, running alongside you, or stealing laundry.