My experience is with TPLO (both legs), not FHO, but talk to the Ortho about water therapy. It worked wonders for Duke! He did the underwater treadmill along with electrical stim and a home therapy regimen. The combination really helped rebuild his atrophied muscles. The stronger those muscles got--the more confidence he gained and the more he used that leg.
You might want to talk to a surgeon/canine PT about regular swimming. Duke was explicitly prohibited from swimming...nothing deeper than mid-thigh. The way it was explained to me was that even though swimming is weightless, the muscles used in a swim stroke are different from an "underwater walking" stroke. They said regular swimming could cause too much strain on the wrong areas of the joint. BUT...his were knee surgeries, not hip surgery, and I'm certainly no vet! Just something to ask about, perhaps.
Duke recovered 100% from both surgeries and you'd never know he has plates in both knees.
Best of luck and I hope you're able to find a canine rehab specialist. If you're in Southern WI I know a fabulous one.
