Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Hi it’s Tully again!

A common problem for owners who bring their animals to the clinic is dislocation of the hip.
Too often many of us get hit or run over by a car. The result is we don’t bear weight on one hind leg and we carry that leg with the toe pointed slightly inwards. Because our hip is a ball and socket joint, the impact of being struck by a vehicle often makes the ball come out of the socket, causing some damage to the surrounding soft tissues.
If you have an injury like this, it’s important that your owner brings you in promptly as treatment is then more likely to be successful.
An x-ray is first taken to differentiate a dislocation from a fracture, and a check is made for other injuries such as pelvic fracture.
In dogs the hip can usually be manipulated back into place and the dog is then strictly confined for a week or so.
Sometimes a procedure called a Devita pin is carried out to hold the hip in place. Orthopaedic specialists can position special toggles that can achieve this successfully.
In cats it is a more difficult procedure and the hip often won’t stay in place.
If the hip has been out too long or won’t stay in place, an operation called an Excision Arthroplasty may be performed. This is when the ball of the hip is removed and the joint is just supported by the muscles. Both dogs and cats usually do very well and we are pain free after this is done.
Obviously it’s best just to stay clear of cars so accidents don’t happen!