A case of congenital unilateral hip dysplasia in a newborn calf

Abstract

We describe the case of a Simmental calf with congenital unilateral hip dysplasia. In the initial physical exam, the calf was able to stand unsteady when helped and showed severe swinging lameness in the left hind limb. Unilateral hip laxity and a positive Ortolani sign indicated subluxation of the femur within the hip joint. This finding was further confirmed by radiographic examination which also showed malformation of the left femoral head and acetabulum. After a short period of clinical improvement the calf's health deteriorated and it was euthanized due to signs of severe coxarthrosis. Pathological examination of the affected hip joint revealed a severe acetabular and femoral dysplasia with an incomplete formation of the epiphysis of the femoral head and a chronic granulating coxarthritis without evidence of primary infectious events.

Case report: Imaging of septic arthritis in the hip joint of a calf treated with femoral head ostectomy

“…However, differentiating between hip arthritis and other hip diseases can be confusing because of the similarity in the radiographs of osseous changes in the adjacent bones, which depend on a variety of primary lesions. Coxofemoral luxation and hip osteoarthritis can also cause osteophyte production in the acetabulum and femoral head ( 3 , 10 , 20 ). Hip joint instability associated with primary hip diseases such as hip arthritis, coxofemoral luxation, and hip dysplasia can promote the remodeling of bone structures, differentiating among these diseases at clinical examination ( 20 ).…”

“…The utility of advanced imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, has recently been indicated in bovine orthopedics, despite the requirement for general anesthesia during examination ( 3 , 9 , 11 ). CT can provide three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction images to visualize various osseous lesions such as osteomyelitis ( 12 , 13 ).…”