Dog Hip Surgery Rehabilitation
In-home therapy to support recovery, strength, and mobility following dog hip surgery
Dog Hip Surgery Explained
Dog hip surgery is commonly performed to address conditions such as hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, joint instability, or trauma affecting the coxofemoral (hip) joint. These conditions can result in chronic pain, reduced range of motion, muscle atrophy, and impaired mobility—especially in active or large-breed dogs.
Surgical intervention is typically recommended when conservative management no longer provides adequate relief or when joint damage is severe. The goal of surgery is to restore comfort and function by either removing the source of pain or structurally stabilising the joint.
The most common types of dog hip surgery include:
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Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHO/FHNE): Removes the femoral head to eliminate bone-on-bone contact. A fibrous joint forms, allowing for a pain-free range of motion—especially effective in small to medium-sized dogs.
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Total Hip Replacement (THR): Involves replacing the entire hip joint with prosthetic components, offering the best chance of restoring full, near-normal function in appropriate candidates.
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Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO): A preventive surgical technique used in young dogs with early-stage hip dysplasia. The pelvis is surgically rotated to improve joint congruency and reduce long-term degeneration.
Each of these procedures requires careful post-operative management to ensure successful healing, return to function, and long-term joint health.
Why Rehabilitation is Essential After Dog Hip Surgery
While surgery corrects the structural issue, rehabilitation addresses the functional and neuromuscular consequences that follow. Without therapy, dogs are at risk of delayed healing, muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, abnormal loading patterns, and reduced limb coordination. Post-operative rehabilitation plays a vital role in restoring confident, coordinated movement and preventing long-term complications.
Rehabilitation helps to:
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Support bone and soft tissue healing
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Reduce inflammation and manage post-operative pain
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Rebuild hindlimb strength, symmetry, and neuromuscular control
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Improve hip range of motion and flexibility
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Manage scar tissue and soft tissue restrictions to preserve joint mobility
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Retrain gait and restore normal weight distribution
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Prevent compensatory strain on the spine, shoulders, or opposite limb
Our in-home programs allow us to assess your dog in their real-world environment—tailoring therapy to your home’s surfaces, stairs, routines, and your dog’s current mobility level.
How Rehabilitation After Dog Hip Surgery Can Help
Successful recovery after dog hip surgery requires more than rest—it requires a structured, clinically guided plan that addresses the specific challenges of post-surgical hip mechanics. At Paws4Paws, we begin with a comprehensive in-home assessment to evaluate your dog’s gait quality, pelvic alignment, joint mobility, muscle engagement, and compensatory patterns.
From there, we design a personalised rehabilitation plan based on your dog’s procedure (e.g. FHO, THR, or TPO), their current stage of healing, and your overall functional goals—whether that’s pain-free walking, navigating stairs, or returning to play.
Therapeutic interventions may include:
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Manual therapy to relieve soft tissue tension, reduce compensatory muscle guarding, and support joint mobility in the pelvis and lumbar spine
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Laser therapy (PBMT) to control inflammation, manage post-operative pain, and promote tissue regeneration at the surgical site
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Targeted therapeutic exercise to rebuild hip and core strength, enhance pelvic stability, and improve symmetrical movement
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Gait retraining to encourage appropriate limb loading and reduce stress on the contralateral limb
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Proprioceptive and neuromuscular work to re-establish limb awareness, balance, and coordinated movement
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Owner instruction and environmental advice to promote safe movement at home and avoid re-injury during recovery
Each session is adapted to your dog’s tolerance, response to therapy, and progress over time—ensuring that recovery remains effective, measurable, and goal-directed.