Hip Dysplasia

What is it?

Hip dysplasia is the abnormal growth and development of the hip joint. The hip joint is a "ball and socket" joint. The ball is the head of the femur, the socket is part of the pelvic bone (the acetabulum). Normally, the head of the femur fits very tightly within the acetabulum. In hip dysplasia, the joint does not fit together snugly, causing instability. As a result, the joint will partially move in and out of the socket which can cause cartilage damage and severe arthritis in dogs, even early on in age.

Common symptoms?

• decreased range of motion in hind end

• difficulty or reluctance rising from laying, jumping, running, or climbing stairs

• stiffness and limping

• swaying or "bunny hopping" gait

• muscle atrophy in hind end

• obvious hind end pain

How can chiropractic help?

While unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to actually "cure" the hip dysplasia itself, it's important to remember that hip dysplasia typically comes with compensation patterns that when left untreated, can contribute to arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. When there is hypermobility somewhere, the body will compensate and typically have hypomobility somewhere else- which is commonly seen in the rest of the pelvis and lumbar spine in dogs with hip dysplasia.

Keeping these compensation patterns at bay can keep your dog feeling and moving better, but can also slow the degenerative process that happens in dogs with hip dysplasia.

What else can I do?

• work with your primary veterinarian on pain management

• keep your dog a lean, healthy weight

• utilize toe grips, carpet, or runners from an early age to help your dog maintain muscle mass and traction which will help with proper joint development

• hydrotherapy

• physical therapy

• joint health supplements