Canine Hip Dysplasia

The abnormal development of the hip joint that occurs in young dogs with dysplasia leads to excessive hip joint laxity, or looseness. This laxity causes stretching of the supporting ligaments, joint capsule, and muscles around the hip joint, leading to joint instability, pain, and permanent damage to the anatomy of the affected hip joint. If left untreated, dogs with hip dysplasia usually develop osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease).

Dogs with hip dysplasia commonly show clinical signs of hind limb lameness, pain, and muscle wasting, or atrophy. Owners report that their dogs are lame after exercise, run with a “bunny-hopping” gait, are reluctant to rise or jump, and aren’t as active as other puppies. Many dysplastic dogs will show these signs early in life (6-12 months of age), but some dogs do not show signs of pain until they are older.

Depending on your pet’s age, physical condition, and degree of hip pain/lameness, there are several surgical treatment options. Young dogs that show hip pain early in life (usually 6-12 months of age) and have no evidence of osteoarthritis on pre-operative radiographs (X-rays) may qualify for a triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO). This procedure allows your pet to keep its own hip joint, eliminating pain and lameness by correcting the laxity within the hip joint.

Dogs older than 1 year with osteoarthritis or dislocation of the hip joint secondary to severe hip dysplasia can be treated with either a total hip replacement (THR) or femoral head ostectomy (FHO). The advantage of total hip replacement is that it eliminates pain and lameness and provides normal range of motion and gait by removing the affected joint and replacing it with a prosthetic joint that is biomechanically similar to the original joint. Total hip replacements are usually very successful, and active dogs are able to resume a high level of activity for the remainder of their lives.

With FHO, the painful hip joint is surgically removed; however, a replacement joint is not placed. Instead, a “false” joint made of scar tissue is allowed to develop. Because the hip joint is removed, dogs that have had this procedure often have an abnormal gait, even in the absence of pain. For active dogs, a return to high levels of activity is more variable. Although biomechanically inferior to total hip replacement, the advantage of FHO is that it reduces pain without the long-term risks and commitment of a total hip replacement. In mature, otherwise healthy dogs with moderate to severe hip pain from hip dysplasia, we usually recommend a hip replacement over FHO, assuming there are no major client constraints or patient contraindications.

Many pets with hip dysplasia can be managed with conservative/medical therapy. Conservative therapy does not cure arthritis caused by hip dysplasia, but is aimed at controlling the pet’s clinical signs. Conservative treatments include administration of joint supplements (Adequan ® and Cosequin ®) and pain medications, weight loss, and rehabilitation. Many dogs can be comfortable with conservative treatment; however, arthritis, pain, and lameness often worsen over time. At this point surgery is usually recommended.

Appointments can be scheduled with the Orthopedics Service by contacting the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Monday through Friday at 979.845.2351. Either you or your veterinarian can make the initial phone call, but we will need to speak with your veterinarian prior to confirming the final appointment.