Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hip joint movement during exercise in dogs with hip osteoarthritis
By Bockstahler, Barbara A et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2012·Clinic for Surgery and Ophthalmology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hind limb kinematics during therapeutic exercises in dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 10 dogs with hip osteoarthritis, averaging about 7 years old, were studied to see how their walking changed during different exercises like walking up and down hills or over low obstacles. The results showed that their hip joints had reduced movement, especially when walking downhill, and their stifle (knee) joints also showed less extension when going uphill. These findings highlight that dogs with hip arthritis may have altered movement patterns that affect more than just the hip joint. Understanding these changes can help veterinarians create better rehabilitation plans for affected dogs.
People also search for: dog hip arthritis exercises · how to help my dog with hip pain · rehabilitation for dogs with osteoarthritis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess joint kinematics in dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints during walking up an incline or down a decline and over low obstacles and to compare findings with data for nonlame dogs. ANIMALS: 10 dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints (mean ± SD age, 6.95 ± 3.17 years; mean body weight, 34.33 ± 13.58 kg) and 8 nonlame dogs (3.4 ± 2.0 years; 23.6 ± 4.6 kg). PROCEDURES: Reflective markers located on the limbs and high-speed cameras were used to record joint kinematics during walking up an incline or down a decline and over low obstacles. Maximal flexion, extension, and range of motion of the hip joints were calculated. RESULTS: Osteoarthritis of the hip joints reduced extension of both hip joints and flexion of the contralateral hind limb, compared with flexion of the lame hind limb, during walking down a decline. Walking up an incline resulted in decreased extension of the stifle joint in both hind limbs of osteoarthritic dogs; extension was significantly decreased for the lame hind limb. During walking over low obstacles, maximal flexion of the stifle joint was increased significantly for the contralateral hind limb. Maximal flexion was increased in both tarsal joints. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Osteoarthritis of the hip joints led to complex changes in the gait of dogs, which involved more joints than the affected hip joint alone. Each exercise had specific effects on joint kinematics that must be considered when planning a rehabilitation program.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22924718/