April 5, 2021
What Is Hip Dysplasia?
The word dysplasia comes from the Greek words for “bad” and “formation.” Hip Dysplasia loosely translates as “bad hip formation,” which is a simple, but accurate description.
The hip is a ball-and-socket joint with the head of the femur serving as the “ball,” and a groove on the pelvis known as the acetabulum serving as the “socket.” When the femoral head does not fit snugly into the acetabulum, the joint partially dislocates, causing painful wear-and-tear.
The bones grind together, the cartilage becomes worn, and over time the muscles experience undue strain. In severe cases, hip dysplasia can cause lameness, arthritis, and decreased mobility, making it almost impossible for dogs to do the things they love. Some dogs even lose full function of the joint.
