Use of Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy and Physical Therapy to Manage Osteoarthritis in a Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)

• Published in: Comparative medicine Vol. 65; no. 3; pp. 260 - 265
• Main Authors: Uchihashi, Mayu, Hampel, Joseph A, Nemzek, Jean A, Saccone, Phillip A, Eaton, Kathryn A, Nowland, Megan H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Femur Head - surgery; Femur Neck - surgery; Fish Oils - administration & dosage; Macaca mulatta; Male; Nonhuman Primate Models; Osteoarthritis - drug therapy; Osteoarthritis - surgery; Osteoarthritis - therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postoperative Care
• ISSN: 1532-0820; 2769-819X

Osteoarthritis is associated with pain and immobility in both humans and animals. However, available resources for osteoarthritis management in captive NHP are limited. This case report describes a novel management strategy for a 10-y-old male macaque with unilateral hindlimb lameness, prominent muscle wasting, and severely limited range of motion. Radiographs of the affected limb showed lytic lesions of the femoral head. To relieve pain and improve mobility, femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) was performed, and multiple pharmacotherapies were initiated. The macaque also received a unique method of physical therapy that required no sedation, acted as enrichment, and was implemented by using a conventional caging system. The response to therapy was monitored by measuring thigh circumference in the operated and nonoperated limbs, which demonstrated improvement in both legs. The unique physical therapy in conjunction with surgery and pharmacotherapy benefited the macaque with osteoarthritis by reducing discomfort and improving mobility.