Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hip joint problems seen in X-rays and scopes of young dogs with hip
By Holsworth, Ian G et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2005·Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of arthroscopic and radiographic abnormalities in the hip joints of juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 52 young dogs with hip dysplasia (a condition where the hip joint doesn't fit into the hip socket properly) were examined to see how well X-rays could identify problems compared to a more detailed procedure called arthroscopy. While X-rays missed many moderate cartilage issues, arthroscopy revealed that a significant number of dogs had severe cartilage damage and ligament tears. This suggests that relying solely on X-rays may not be enough to assess the extent of hip problems in these dogs. For better treatment outcomes, veterinarians may need to use arthroscopy or other methods to evaluate hip joint health more accurately.
People also search for: dog hip dysplasia treatment · juvenile dog hip problems · arthroscopy for dog hip issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare radiographic and arthroscopic abnormalities in juvenile dogs with clinically apparent hip dysplasia. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 52 dogs (70 hip joints) with clinical signs of hip dysplasia scheduled to undergo triple pelvic osteotomy. PROCEDURE: A ventrodorsal radiographic projection of the pelvis was evaluated by a radiologist unaware of clinical and arthroscopic findings, and radiographic osteoarthritic abnormalities were judged and scored as absent (0), mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3). Arthroscopy was performed by a surgeon unaware of clinical and radiographic findings, and arthroscopic abnormalities were graded from 0 (normal) to 5 (exposed, eburnated subchondral bone). RESULTS: In 30 of the 70 (43%) hip joints, no radiographic osteoarthritic abnormalities were seen. Severe, full-thickness articular cartilage lesions (grade 4) of the femoral head or acetabulum were seen arthroscopically in 14 (20%) joints. Lesions > or = grade 2 were seen in 60 (86%) joints. Partial tearing of the ligament of the femoral head was present in 57 (81%) joints, and complete rupture was seen in 5 (7%). Radiographic abnormalities were seen in 13 of the 14 (93%; 95% confidence interval, 66% to 99.8%) joints with grade 4 arthroscopic abnormalities but in only 23 of the 46 (50%; 95% confidence interval, 35% to 65%) joints with grade 2 or 3 arthroscopic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that radiography is not a sensitive method for identifying moderate cartilage lesions in juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia. If moderate cartilage lesions are an important prognostic indicator for the success of triple pelvic osteotomy, then methods other than radiography should be used to detect these lesions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16220668/