Objective: To evaluate the effects of darthroplasty with bone allograft (DBA) on the progression of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in dogs with hip dysplasia.

Design: DBA was prospectively used in dogs with signs of hip dysplasia.

Procedure: DBA was performed in fourteen dogs with hip dysplasia. Bone allografts consisted of the femoral condyle of dogs preserved in 98% glycerol. Pain on palpation, lameness and radiographic evidence of DJD were scored according to a grading system.

Results: Fourteen DBA procedures were performed. All dogs were lame on physical examination before surgery and palpation of the coxofemoral joints caused signs of pain. Follow-up examination was performed at 1, 2 and 12 months after surgery. The results of the physical examination and radiographic evaluation at the preoperative examination and at the three follow-ups differ significantly for pain and lameness. DJD scores were not significantly different at the various observation intervals, however, at 12 months post-operatively, five dogs presented progression of DJD. Age and weight at time of surgery did not affect results significantly.

Conclusions: DBA may eliminate signs of pain and lameness associated with hip dysplasia in selected cases.