Canine Hip Dysplasia - Effects
(Continued article ... page 5 of 6)
| Definition | Risk Factors | Effects |
| Symptoms | Diagnosis | Prevention |
Effects of Hip Dysplasia
Effects on the Muscles
Research has shown that dogs with CHD have significantly decreased sizes of total pelvic musculature surrounding and acting on the hip joint. Whether this is a contributing factor or a result of hip dysplasia remains to be proven. One muscle that can contribute to worsening of hip dysplasia is the Pectineus Muscle. (See Exercise section.)
Ligament at the Head of the Hip Joint
Attaching to the head of the femur from the center of the hip socket is a tough fibrous ligament called the Ligament of the Head of the Femur. If this ligament is stretched or torn, the hip joint will be less stable—and this is exactly what happens to dogs with dysplasia. In fact, some of the first changes to take place in young dogs developing hip dysplasia occur in this ligament, especially if the muscle mass of the pelvis is underdeveloped. The ligament swells, develops tiny tears, and then stretches. In advanced CHD, the ligament can totally break down and cause more harm than good.
Joint Capsule
The joint capsule surrounds the joint and produces synovial fluid to nourish and lubricate the joint cartilage. In addition, the joint capsule provides some support to the joint. In dysplastic joints, the capsule becomes irritated, stretched, and scarred. In advanced cases the capsule loses its elasticity and inhibits a full range of motion in the joint. A lot of the pain associated with hip dysplasia originates from inflamed nerve endings in the joint capsule, so any pathology here will have a noticeable effect on the dog.
Cartilage
The surfaces of the head of the femur and the acetabulum are covered with what is termed hyaline cartilage. In a dysplastic joint, the points of pressure and the amount of pressure applied to areas of cartilage surfaces are abnormal. The cartilage is not able to function as it should, so it changes or disintegrates as a response. The changes range from thickening in abnormal areas to thinning in others. Sometimes the pounding it takes erodes the cartilage down to the underlying bone. The result is more pain and discomfort, more inflammation, more calcium deposits from inadequate healing attempts, and eventual breakdown of the joint as a unit. Nutriceuticals, such as Chondroitin Sulfate and Glucosamine, may be effective in aiding the repair and maintenance of this articular cartilage.
Bone Changes
Since bone is alive,
it responds to stress and grows in a manner that tends to distribute weight loads
evenly. As a result of posture changes brought on by discomfort, the dog's weight-bearing
forces stress the bone in unnatural ways. The bone does what it is supposed to
do in response and changes its shape.
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