Dysplasia of the Hip

Understanding the Hip Joint

• The hip joint is a ball and socket joint with the top of the femur acting as the ball, and the pelvic bone acting as the socket. These parts are made to fit perfectly with each other and are held in place by strong ligaments and fibrous tissue for stability. The articular surface (area where the bones meet) is completely smooth and cushioned by a spongy cartilage to absorb impact and weight of an animal's body. For lubrication of the joint, fluid is present.

Dysplasia of the Hip

• Dysplasia of the hip, commonly called hip dysplasia, is an orthopedic disease that develops when the hip joint is abnormal. This disease is primarily genetic and occurs more often in dogs than in cats, and more often in certain large breeds such as German shepherds, retrievers, Saint Bernards and rottweilers. Hip dysplasia occurs when a separation of the ball and socket in the joint is present, causing them not to fit together snugly. This causes painful friction, stretching of the binding ligaments, inflammation and ultimately arthritis.

Symptoms

• Decreased movement, difficulty walking or rising, visible splaying of the hip bones, "hopping" while walking or running, and limited use of back legs are all classic symptoms of hip dysplasia.

Diagnosis

• A veterinarian will check your animal by doing a full exam with X-rays or a radiograph of the pelvic and hip bones to determine if dysplasia of the hip is present, and if so, how severe it is and if arthritis is also present.

Treatment

• Non-surgical treatment options for dysplasia of the hip include over-the-counter pain relief, massage, a weight-reduction diet, water therapy, minimal exercise and anti-inflammatories. Surgical remedies for hip dysplasia include complete replacement of the hip joints, bone fusion, early bone realignment, artificial joint replacement and partial hip replacement.