Defining Hip Laxity
Hip joint laxity is the most important risk factor for the development of development joint disease (DJD). For this reason, it is important to understand the difference between passive and functional hip laxity.
- Passive hip laxity is subjectively scored or measured on a hip radiograph of a nonambulating dog while it is under heavy sedation or anesthesia.
- Functional hip laxity is the pathologic form of laxity occurring during normal weightbearing in dogs with dysplastic hips. Current hip screening methods cannot assess functional hip laxity.
Effects of Functional Laxity on Joint Mechanics
Under normal conditions, the sum of the forces on the joint are spread out over a large surface area. When laxity is present in the joint, the force applied by the surrounding muscles actually increases to compensate for the laxity. The sum of the forces exerted on the dysplastic hip is greater than that the sum of the forces exerted on the normal hip. In addition, the forces on the dysplastic hip are applied over a smaller surface area. The high joint contact stresses produce injury and ultimately result in the loss of delicate articular cartilage. Over time, functional hip laxity results in erosion of the femoral head and flattening of the acetabulum.