Hip Dysplasia - An overview and Key Signs To Be Aware Of
Hip dysplasia occurs in many species (including humans and cats) but is mainly a concern in dogs. It can occur in any breed or size of the dog but is more common and tends to be a bigger issue in larger breeds. The hip is the ball and socket joint that connects the hind limb to the pelvis. The femur is the thigh bone. The ball is called the femoral head, and the socket in the pelvis is the acetabulum. The ball and socket grow in concert with one another in the normal hip joint. The ball sits deeply in the socket and rotates within. The ball and socket are held together by a ligament (a band of tough tissue between the bones), a joint capsule (which also contains joint or synovial fluid), and muscles that connect the pelvis to the femur. Articular cartilage (joint) lines the ball and socket. In a hip with dysplasia ( dysplasia meaning abnormal growth and development), the connection between the ball and socket becomes looser than what is considered normal. This results in abno...
