HIP DYSPLASIA
Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. It is characterized by a shallow
acetabulum (the "cup" of the hip joint) and changes in the shape of the femoral head (the "ball" of the hip joint).
These changes may occur due to excessive laxity in the hip joint. Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical
signs. When dogs exhibit clinical signs of this problem they usually are lame on one or both rear limbs. Severe
arthritis can develop as a result of the malformation of the hip joint and this results in pain as the disease progresses.
Many young dogs exhibit pain during or shortly after the growth period, often before arthritic changes appear to be
present. It is not unusual for this pain to appear to disappear for several years and then to return when arthritic
changes become obvious.
Dogs with hip dysplasia appear to be born with normal hips and then to develop the disease later. This has led to a
lot of speculation as to the contributing factors which may be involved with this disease. This is an inherited
condition, but not all dogs with the genetic tendency will develop clinical signs and the degree of hip dysplasia which
develops does not always seem to correlate well with expectations based on the parent's condition. Multiple genetic
factors are involved and environmental factors also play a role in determining the degree of hip dysplasia. Dogs with
no genetic predisposition do not develop hip dysplasia.
At present, the strongest link to contributing factors other than genetic predisposition appears to be to rapid growth
and weight gain. It is likely that the laxity in the hip joints is aggravated by the rapid weight gain.
The calcium/phosphorous to calorie ratios in adult dog food are such that the puppy will usually end up with higher
than desired total calcium or phosphorous intake by eating an adult food.
If clinical signs of hip dysplasia occur in young dogs, such as lameness, difficulty standing or walking after getting up,
decreased activity or a bunny-hop gait, it is often possible to help them medically or surgically. X-ray confirmation of
the presence of hip dysplasia prior to treatment is necessary.
Once a determination is made that hip dysplasia is present, a treatment plan is necessary. For dogs that exhibit
clinical signs at less than a year of age, aggressive treatment may help alleviate later suffering. In the past a surgery
known as a pectineal myotomy was advocated but more recent evidence suggests that it is an ineffective surgical
procedure. However, administration of glycosaminoglycans (Adequan Rx) may help to decrease the severity of
arthritis that develops later in life. Surgical reconstruction of the hip joint (triple pelvic osteotomy) is helpful if done
during the growth stages. For puppies with clinical signs at a young age, this surgery should be strongly considered.
It has a high success rate when done at the proper time.
Dogs that exhibit clinical signs after the growth phase require a different approach to treatment. It is necessary to
determine if the disorder can be managed by medical treatment enough to keep the dog comfortable.. If medical
treatment is insufficient then surgical repair is possible.
The best surgical treatment for hip dypslasia is total hip replacement. By removing the damaged acetabulum and
femoral head and replacing them with artificial joint components, pain is nearly eliminated. This procedure is
expensive but it is very effective and should be the first choice for treatment of severe hip dyplasia whenever
possible.
An alternative surgery is femoral head ostectomy. In this procedure, the femoral head (ball part of the hip joint) is
simply removed. This eliminates most of the bone to bone contact and can reduce the pain substantially.
Hip dysplasia may not ever be eliminated by programs designed to detect it early unless some effort is made to
publish the results of diagnostic tests openly. This is the only way that breeders will be able to tell for certain what the
problems have been with hip dysplasia in a dog's ancestry.
When an older dog is exhibiting signs of pain associated with this condition it is often possible to help them
dramatically through medication and simple steps like providing a warm bed or warm spot to rest during the day.
There is no advantage to pain and steps should be taken to ensure that the older dog is not in pain. Regular exercise
can be very helpful and weight loss can have dramatic effects on the amount of discomfort a dog experiences.
Working with your vet to come to the best solution for your dog and your situation will enable you and your dog to
enjoy life to its fullest, despite the presence of hip dysplasia.