• Kyla F Ortved, Ursula Krotscheck, Samantha A Collins, Jeremy J Rawlinson, and Jonathan Dyce.
• Cornell University Hospital for Animals and Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA. ko222@cornell.edu
• Vet Surg. 2009 Jul 1; 38 (5): 583-7.

ObjectiveTo report management of a chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in an alpaca using cementless total hip replacement (THR).Study DesignCase report.AnimalAn 18-month-old, 47 kg alpaca male.MethodsCementless THR was performed in an alpaca with a chronic, right SCFE, and secondary osteoarthritis. Force plate gait analysis was performed before and 8 weeks after surgery. Outcome was determined through clinical evaluation, radiography, and force plate gait analysis.ResultsCementless THR resulted in marked improvement in the alpaca's comfort level, degree of lameness, and range of motion. On preoperative force plate gait analysis there was decreased contact time (P=.01) and vertical impulse (P<.01) of the affected limb, whereas at 8 weeks postoperatively significant differences in gait analysis between pelvic limbs were not apparent.ConclusionTHR using a BioMedtrix canine cementless modular prosthesis restored hip function in an alpaca with coxofemoral osteoarthritis from chronic SCFE.Clinical RelevanceTHR may be an appropriate treatment for selected traumatic and degenerative conditions of the coxofemoral joint in alpacas.

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