TRAUMATIC HIP LUXATION: 5 SECRETS OF EFFECTIVE TREATMENT

It has been said that we learn more from our mistakes than from our successes. To that end, I’ve learned 5+ ways to fail when treating traumatic hip luxation.

HOW TO FAIL WITH CLOSED HIP REDUCTION
1. Fail to determine the direction of the luxation
2. Fail to closely scrutinize radiographs for hip joint conformation, associated injuries, etc
3. Fail to inform clients that ~ 50% of hips may re-luxate.
4. Fail to modify Ehmer slings with an ‘”Abduction Roll” for cranio-dorsal luxations
5. Try to put an Ehmer sling on a chondrodystrophic breed of dog
6. Fail to keep the sling dry
7. Fail to closely monitor the sling and surrounding skin each day
8. Fail to remove a tape Ehmer sling after 2 weeks (3 weeks maximum)
9. Fail to restrict patient activity following removal of the Ehmer Sling

In short, Ehmer Slings “go bad” when they are applied to the wrong patient, when they are applied incorrectly, or when we improperly educate the pet-owner about them. I’ve heard many veterinarians say that they don’t think that Ehmer slings are helpful, but I think that they do for many patients. I would estimate that approximately 50% of the closed reductions that fail in the hands of others, can be successfully treated via non-surgical means when properly selected and when a simple “Abduction Roll” is added to the conventional Ehmer Sling. […]