Hip dysplasia in dogs - hip dysplasia chiropractor for dogs boston,south shore boston, cape cod and islands

Hip dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a condition where there is malformation of the coxo-femoral (hip) joint or joint laxity or looseness that permits subluxation (the ball of the femur does not fit into the socket of the pelvis correctly.) With time, the architecture of the acetabulum (the part of the pelvis the femoral head sits in) and the femoral head becomes deformed, and degenerative joint disease develops. This is the most common disorder of the canine hip and the primary cause of hip osteoarthritis. It is most common in large and giant breed dogs and there is a genetic component. A definitive diagnosis requires radiographs. The degree of radiographic changes are not necessarily consistent with the degree of clinical signs (i.e. a dog may act like a puppy and have severe degenerative joint disease, or a dog with mild radiographic changes may be extremely uncomfortable.) Treatment options consist of one or more of the following: surgery, medication, acupuncture, animal chiropractic, Pulsed Signal Therapy (PST), magnetic therapy, and non-weight bearing or weight bearing exercises (swimming, land treadmill, or hydro-treadmill) depending on the clinical signs.