Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How canine hip laxity changes on X-rays at 4, 6, and 12 months
By Taroni, Mathieu et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2018·Unite ICE UPSP 2011-03-101, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evolution of Radiographic Parameters of Canine Passive Hip Laxity at 4, 6 and 12 months: A Study of 306 Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at hip laxity in 306 dogs at different ages, specifically measuring how their hip joints changed from 4 to 12 months old. The distraction index (DI), which indicates how loose the hip joint is, increased from 4 to 6 months but then decreased by 12 months. This means that the hip joint tightness can change significantly as the dog grows. Understanding these changes can help veterinarians better assess hip health in young dogs.
People also search for: dog hip laxity symptoms · puppy hip joint health · how to check dog hip tightness
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:  This article evaluates the variation in the distraction index (DI) and Norberg angle measurement with the femur in a neutral position and the hips distracted (distraction Norberg angle [DNA]) between 4, 6 and 12 months of age. METHODS:  Radiographic data from dogs ( = 306) line-bred for favourable characteristics, including hip conformation, were reviewed. Dogs underwent stress radiographs, using a Vezzoni distractor, at 4, 6 and 12 months of age. The DI and DNA were calculated, and their evolution was studied for the total population and the sub-category of hips with a DI > 0.7. RESULTS:  For the total population, the DI showed a significant increase from 4 to 6 months and a significant decrease at 12 months. For the hips with a DI > 0.7 at 4 months, DI at 6 and 12 months showed a significant decrease (0.14 and 0.26, respectively, on average). For the total population, the DNA followed the same pattern as the DI, and the values are significantly associated ( < 0.001). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:  The DI varies significantly from 4 to 12 months in dogs, and the time of radiographic evaluation of hip laxity may strongly influence the value of the DI. The DNA is strongly related to the DI, and its use as a more convenient indicator of hip laxity in dogs should be further investigated.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30071569/