Ultrasonic and radiographic study of laxity in hip joints of young dogs

Abstract

In the present study, 22 hip joints of Whippet (four), Rottweiler (five) and Labrador Retriever (two) young dogs were evaluated with the aim of comparing the ultrasonic examination of coxofemoral joints with the radiographic evaluations, both distraction and conventional procedures, for the early diagnosis of passive laxity. The study was based on static ultrasonography, conventional radiography (CR) and distraction radiography (DR) methods. In order to quantify the relationship between the femur head and the acetabulum, the alpha (alpha) and gamma (gamma) angles were measured by ultrasonographic examination, the Norberg angle (NA) was measured by CR, and the distraction index (DI) was measured by DR. It was observed a negative correlation between angles alpha and gamma (r= -0,756; P<0.001) and correlation between DI and NA (r= -0.474; P<0.026). No correlation was observed between angles alpha and gamma in relation to DI and NA (alpha and DI: r= -0.380; P<0.081; alpha and NA: r= 0.013; P<0.954; gamma and DI: r= 0.338; P<0.124; gamma and NA: r= -0.192; P<0.391). The static ultrasonographic did not prove to be a sensitive method to earlier detection of passive laxity of coxofemoral joints in dogs aging 14 and 15 day-old. The distraction index of DR was efficient in early detecting the passive laxity in dogs averaging five months old, when compared to the NA of CR. Two false negative dogs were detected by the DI. The CR method was relevant to detect osteoarthritis alterations, helping the diagnosis of hip dysplasia (HD).

Evaluation of vacuum phenomenon in dogs with coxofemoral degenerative joint disease using computed tomography

“…In contrast, CHD has no sex predominance in dogs [32]. However, the clinical signs of CHD vary and are different in each dog, ranging from lameness and pain to voluntary paresis [29], which negatively impacts quality of life.…”

“…It has been reported that 74% of the large breed dog population is affected by CHD [ 28 ]. CHD is characterized by abnormal development of the hip joint, which leads to joint laxity and may progress to DJD [ 2 – 5 , 29 ]. The cause of CHD remains unclear; however, some reports have described genetic malformation(s) and other multifactorial sources [ 7 , 30 ].…”

Diagnostic ultrasonography of the shoulder in dogs – scan techniques and common findings

“…It has a wide range of applications in musculoskeletal evaluations, such as those of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and tarsus, and several tendons and muscles have been examined using this technique. Its diagnostic sensitivity is comparable to that of MRI and arthroscopy, depending on the analyzed region (KRAMER et al, 1997(KRAMER et al, , 1999LONG, NYLAND, 1999;RICHARDS et al, 2001;LAMB;WONG, 2005;ROCHA;TORRES, 2007;COOK, 2009). …”

Evaluation of Radiographic Coxofemoral Measurements in Boerboel Dogs

“…It occurs in all breeds, with higher prevalence in middle and large breeds of dogs, and breeds with rapid growth [15]. It is one of the most common orthopaedic disorders in dogs, representing 30 percent of orthopaedic cases [14]. Offspring control and elimination of parents producing poor offspring are effective in reducing the prevalence of canine hip dysplasia [18].…”