What is canine hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is the abnormal formation of the hip joint. Specifically, it is characterised by looseness in the coupling of the bones in the joint, partial dislocation of the hind limb and ultimately arthritis in the hip joint

Signs of the disease include changes the dog’s gait– often seen as “bunny hopping” or the inability to move the hind limbs individually. Dogs with hip dysplasia may also be reluctant to exercise. As the disease progresses, the hind limb muscles atrophy (waste) and forelimb muscle hypertrophy because weight is shifted forward when the dog moves. In some dogs, their temperament changes due to pain in their hips and compensatory areas.

The disease can be observed in some dogs as early as four months and its rate of progression varies from individual to individual.

Factors which influence hip dysplasia include genetics and nutrition in the growing dog.

How can massage therapy assist dogs with hip dysplasia?

Massage will not “cure” hip dysplasia however it can benefit dogs being treated conservatively for the disease. Studies in dogs, particularly young dogs with hip dysplasia have shown that conservative treatment can be effective in managing pain and maintaining a comfortable and functioning lifestyle.

The objectives of massage and physical therapy treatment programme for dogs with hip dysplasia are:

Relieve pain

Hips dysplasia results in pain throughout the dog’s body. The principle source of pain is within the hip joint itself. Another site of pain are the soft tissues surrounding the affected hip such as the gluteals, quadriceps and hamstring group of muscles. Dogs can also experience pain from muscle tension in areas they are overloading to compensate for the loss of function in the affected hip. Areas commonly affected include the neck, shoulder and back muscles.

Massage can relieve the pain from muscle tension around the affected hip and in compensatory muscles in two ways. Firstly, it is believed that the direct mechanical pressure of massage activates the pain gate mechanism by stimulating mechanoreceptors in the skin. These receptors transmit signals to the spinal cord and inhibit the transmission of noxious stimuli thereby altering the dog’s perception of pain. Secondly, massage increases blood flow to the muscles to nourish and lubricate the muscle fibres. The mechanical nature of massage elongates muscle fibres to relieve muscle knots and spasms.

Joint support

The secondary objective of a physical therapy programme is to support the affected joint by strengthening the muscles surrounding the hip and maintaining flexibility for proper movement.

A programme would include exercises to:

• strengthen and maintain well functioning gluteals, quadriceps and hamstrings. All of which are required for walking and maintaining a symmetrical gait.

• stretch target muscles such as the sartorial, tensor muscle of fascia lata, hamstring group, gracilis, pectineus, and adductor to maintain joint flexibility which is essential for proper movement.

• maintain the soft tissue flexibility required for normal movement by performing range of motion exercises. These exercises also maintain nutrition in the joint cartilage which is essential to slow the progression of osteoarthritis in the joint.

Maintain proprioception in the hind limbs

The final objective of a physical therapy programme would include exercises to assist with balance, co-ordination and body awareness. All of which are required for the dog to move properly and not overload other areas of the body through excessive weight shifting.

To discuss a suitable management programme for your dog, please contact me at jlconlon@fullstride.com.au.

Until next time, enjoy your dogs.

Sources

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Edge-Hughes, Laurie (2007) “Hip and sacroiliac disease: selected disorders and their management with physical therapy”, Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice 22 p 183 – 194

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