Hip dysplasia can affect dogs of any age, breed, or sex, and if left untreated, it can lead to significant pain and restricted mobility. We’ve gathered the essential information you need to know about its development, prevention, screening options, and available treatment methods.
Hip dysplasia, often referred to simply as hip DP for short, is an orthopedic disorder of developmental origin that can, in theory, affect a dog of any age, breed, or sex. The essence of the problem is that the hip joint doesn't develop properly, which causes instability, pain, and eventually degenerative joint changes and arthrosis over time.
In managing and preventing this condition, which significantly limits movement, early detection, the use of proper preventive strategies, knowledge of the available treatment options, and understanding the effect of early spaying/neutering are all key.
Structure of the hip joint
The hip joint is a so-called ball-and-socket joint that connects the femur to the pelvis. For pain-free, free movement, it's essential that the head of the femur (the "ball") fits perfectly into the acetabulum, i.e. the hip socket.
For the hip joint to function properly, the following bone and muscle structures need to work together:
- Acetabulum (hip socket) - the depression in the pelvis into which the head of the femur fits
- Head and neck of the femur - the ball-shaped part that enables the joint's movement
- Posterior rim of the acetabulum - responsible for the joint's stability
- Joint capsule and ligaments - fix and stabilize the joint
- Gluteal muscles (middle, deep, and superficial) - provide support and stability
- Iliopsoas muscle - plays a key role in hip flexion
- Biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus muscles - play an important role in movement and in protecting the joint
How does hip dysplasia develop?
Hip dysplasia develops when the joint is loose, i.e. unstable, during puppyhood. Instead of the head of the femur fitting snugly into the hip socket, it shifts excessively within it. This ongoing, abnormal movement leads to:
- premature wear of the joint cartilage
- erosion of the joint surfaces
- bone remodeling and the development of arthrosis
Genetics and responsible breeding
Genetic background is the most decisive factor in the development of the disease. If a dog has hip dysplasia, there's almost a 100 percent chance that its puppies will inherit this predisposition too. It's important to know that dysplasia can be inherited across as many as 40 generations.
If you're buying a purebred puppy, always ask for the parents' official hip screening results. A poor genetic background can later mean serious veterinary costs and a great deal of pain for your dog. At the same time, it's also important to keep in mind that, since the disease can be inherited over as many as 40 generations, a problem can still occur in a litter even if both parents and all grandparents were free of dysplasia.
This is exactly why the following are especially important:
- carrying out genetic screening
- an orthopedic examination during puppyhood - even if the puppy appears to be completely symptom-free
- keeping the dog lean, not overweight, during the growth phase
Obesity can significantly worsen a genetically given predisposition (just as a proper body weight can improve it), so this factor should never be taken lightly.
Proper exercise during puppyhood
The final shape of the hip joint forms during puppyhood: the acetabulum and the head of the femur continuously "shape" each other during growth. According to a 2000 study, moderate, controlled exercise supports proper joint development and significantly reduces the risk of dysplasia developing.
What's worth doing?
- walks on a leash
- swimming
- controlled forms of movement
- puppy physiotherapy and fitness sessions
What's worth avoiding?
- too much jumping
- intense running
- slippery, hard surfaces
When is it worth screening a puppy?
Hip dysplasia can already be detected from 16 weeks of age, provided the examination is carried out by a specialist.
Orthopedic examinations - the following tests may only be performed by a specialist:
- Ortolani test - used to detect joint laxity
- Barden test - examines the displacement of the head of the femur
Imaging examinations - these tests also need to be carried out by a specialist, since the position and angle of the hip and knee at the time the image is taken is critically important:
- X-ray - used to assess joint fit and any potential deformities
What does a hip X-ray show?
Characteristics of a healthy hip:
- a deep, well-formed acetabulum
- symmetrical hip joints
- no bone remodeling or deformity
Characteristics of a dysplastic hip:
- a shallow acetabulum
- a flattened head of the femur
- a wider joint space
- arthrotic changes (beak-like bony growths, a thickened femoral neck - recognizable on an X-ray as a characteristic "teardrop-shaped" shadow)
The role of spaying/neutering in the development of dysplasia
Spaying or neutering before 12 months of age increases the chance of hip dysplasia developing. One study found that Labradors neutered before 6 months of age developed dysplasia at twice the rate of those neutered later.
Further research also supports the finding that early spaying/neutering changes the timing of growth plate closure and affects the development and proportions of the hip.
When is spaying/neutering recommended?
- For small dogs: after 12 months of age
- For large dogs: between 24-30 months of age
It's always worth discussing the timing of spaying/neutering with an orthopedic specialist before making a decision.
Treatment options for hip dysplasia
Non-surgical, conservative treatment:
- weight control
- joint-protective dietary supplements
- physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- controlled forms of exercise (swimming, walking on a gentle incline)
- pain management (anti-inflammatories, laser therapy, acupuncture)
Surgical interventions:
- Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO) - can be used for young dogs, typically under 10 months of age, who have not yet developed arthrosis
- Femoral head ostectomy (FHO) - the surgical removal of the head of the femur
- Total hip replacement (THR) - the most effective solution in severe cases
What happens if dysplasia is left untreated?
Without treatment, hip dysplasia leads to progressively worsening problems:
- increasing pain and limping
- the development of chronic arthrosis
- muscle atrophy
- a significant decline in mobility and a reduced quality of life
Summary
- Genetics is a key factor, but environment and lifestyle also significantly influence whether the disease develops
- Early detection is vital for the long-term prognosis
- Moderate, controlled exercise supports healthy joint development during puppyhood
- It's worth avoiding overfeeding and spaying/neutering too early
- Physiotherapy, and surgical intervention where necessary, can significantly improve the dog's long-term quality of life
So a diagnosis of hip dysplasia doesn't necessarily mean surgery is automatically required. With early detection, conscious prevention, and professional physiotherapy where needed, your dog's quality of life can be preserved over the long term as well.
If you have any questions about your dog's hip joint health, or if you're already noticing some kind of symptom in your dog, feel free to reach out to us - we'll help with personalized advice and a physiotherapy program.