Georgia’s First Total Hip Replacement Procedures in Animals

Great News: Georgia’s First Total Hip Replacement Procedures in Animals. 

On 20 August, Veterinarium became the first veterinary clinic in Georgia and the wider region to perform total hip replacement procedures in animals using the Zurich Cementless Total Hip Replacement System developed by the Swiss company KYON.

Two total hip replacement procedures were performed at Veterinarium yesterday. The patients were:

• A Golden Retriever brought from Armenia specifically for the procedure
• A German Shepherd belonging to an American family

The procedures were performed by Veterinarium’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Lasha Giorgi Japaridze. He was assisted by Belgian veterinary orthopaedic surgeon and KYON instructor Dr. Kris Camps, who travelled to Georgia specifically for these procedures. 

Dr. Kris Camps earned his veterinary degree from Ghent University in Belgium and has spent most of his professional career working in the Netherlands and Sweden. His particular areas of interest include total hip replacement (THR), arthroscopy, TTA, TTA2 and TPLO procedures, limb deformity correction and arthrodesis. As a KYON instructor, Dr. Camps trains veterinary surgeons in the use of advanced orthopaedic techniques and systems.

The complex anaesthetic management, which lasted several hours, was expertly overseen by Veterinarium’s anaesthesiologist and cardiologist, Natia Robakidze.

Both procedures were completed successfully, and the patients are currently undergoing rehabilitation. 

The introduction of total hip replacement using KYON’s cementless system marks a major new milestone in the development of veterinary medicine in Georgia. By establishing this advanced service, Georgia is also becoming an attractive destination for international patients seeking highly specialised veterinary orthopaedic care. 

The contribution of the Kakha Bendukidze Knowledge Fund to this significant advancement has been invaluable. The Fund invested in:

• The purchase of a complete set of KYON THR surgical instruments
• Advanced training for Veterinarium’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Lasha Giorgi Japaridze, in the United States and Italy

The KYON THR surgical instrument set is designed to ensure precision and safety at every stage of a total hip replacement procedure. This comprehensive range of specialised instruments is essential for highly accurate placement of the prosthetic components, which is one of the most important prerequisites for a successful outcome.

Becoming qualified to perform total hip replacement independently using the KYON cementless system is a demanding, multistage process. Surgeons must successfully complete KYON’s comprehensive education and mentorship pathway.

With the support of the Kakha Bendukidze Knowledge Fund, Dr. Lasha Giorgi Japaridze successfully completed KYON’s international surgical workshop in Boston, United States, in August 2025. He also travelled to Italy on two occasions to train with one of KYON’s leading instructors and a distinguished veterinary orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Aldo Vezzoni. During these visits, he participated in total hip replacement procedures and received extensive hands on surgical training.

KYON is a Swiss veterinary orthopaedic company renowned for developing innovative technologies for joint replacement and fracture treatment in small animals. The company was founded through close collaboration between veterinary surgeons and biomedical engineers. One of KYON’s most significant achievements is the Zurich Cementless Total Hip Replacement System, which has transformed the practice of total hip replacement in animals. Without the use of bone cement, the system provides secure primary fixation of the implant to the bone and long term stability. Its modular design also allows the surgeon to select the most appropriate combination and size of components for each individual patient.

The photographs accompanying this post were taken at Veterinarium and show:

• The procedures in progress
• The KYON Zurich Cementless Total Hip Replacement System
• A selection of the KYON surgical instruments used during the procedures

We will share detailed posts about each patient and procedure soon.