The presence of asymmetry in tibial bone mineral content (BMC) of the operated and control limbs at the end of the experimental period following unilateral hip replacement surgery is used as a marker of limb function. The goal of the present study was to determine the contribution of ipsilateral and contralateral bone gain and loss to control-treated side differences in BMC of the tibia in dogs following unilateral hip replacement surgery. Seven animals were followed longitudinally with single beam photon absorptiometry for 6 months after unilateral hip hemiarthroplasty. Bone loss, compared with preoperative baseline values, was observed in both limbs, with recovery in bone mass beginning 1 month after surgery in the contralateral tibia and 3 months after surgery in the ipsilateral tibia. Thus, the asymmetry in tibial BMC frequently seen after unilateral experimental hip replacement in the canine appears to be caused by differential timing of recovery of bone mass following a transient loss in both limbs. The mechanism defined in this study is in contrast to an alternative mechanism involving bone loss in the treated limb coupled with bone gain in the control limb.