Hip problems are common in dogs and can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Learn about the conditions we treat — from hip dysplasia to traumatic injuries — and the options available to help your pet move comfortably again.
A common cause of pain and lameness in dogs, hip dysplasia can severely impact mobility. It can also be nothing to worry about.
Hip dysplasia is a common condition that develops at a very young age. Affected hips are essentially “loose” (lax), where the ball (femoral head) does not sit deeply in the socket (acetabulum). Over time, this poor fit leads to joint instability and arthritis.
Hip dysplasia is typically a problem of larger breed dogs, although occasionally small dogs and cats are affected. The development of hip dysplasia is dependent on both genetic and environmental factors. It is important to understand that the severity of hip dysplasia can vary tremendously. Some hips are mildly affected, and others are so abnormal that the head is completely out of the socket.
Common signs of hip dysplasia include:
Dogs with mild hip dysplasia often show little to no symptoms throughout their lives. While some dogs with moderate to severe dysplasia may also remain relatively comfortable, symptoms are generally worse as the severity of the condition is higher.
If you suspect your dog has hip dysplasia, a veterinarian should perform a careful orthopaedic examination and take x-rays (radiographs) of the hips. A careful orthopaedic examination by a veterinarian is crucially important. Features such as pain, range of motion, and muscle mass are assessed.
It is important to also rule out other hind limb problems that may need to be addressed first. Your veterinarian might also recommend a sedated examination where the joint laxity can be more easily felt. Orthopedic exams can be tricky, which is why it’s ideal to have someone skilled and experienced evaluating your dog.
Many dogs with hip dysplasia can be managed successfully without surgery, especially in mild to moderate cases. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and maintaining mobility. This often includes weight management, joint supplements (such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3s), anti-inflammatory or pain medications, and physical therapy.
Acupuncture, laser therapy, and customized exercise plans can also be beneficial. With the right combination of treatments, many dogs stay active and comfortable for their entire lifespan.
In puppies diagnosed early, certain procedures can help prevent long-term joint damage. Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS) and double or triple pelvic osteotomy (DPO/TPO) are performed before skeletal maturity to improve how the hip joint develops. These surgeries are most effective when done at the right age and in carefully selected patients.
For dogs with advanced hip dysplasia or persistent pain that does not respond to medical management, surgery can significantly improve quality of life. Two common options are total hip replacement (THR) and femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO).
THR involves replacing the entire joint with implants and can restore near-normal function, but it is a complex procedure that requires advanced training and precision — choosing a highly experienced and reputable surgeon is essential.
FHO is a simpler and less costly option that removes the ball of the hip joint to eliminate bone-on-bone contact; it can be quite effective in smaller dogs. Case selection is critical for both procedures, and not every dog is a candidate.
The hip is the joint most commonly dislocated by trauma in dogs and cats. It’s a painful and disabling injury. With the right treatment, often surgical, recovery is highly achievable.
A hip dislocation, also known as a hip luxation, occurs when the ball of the hip joint (femoral head) is forced out of its socket (acetabulum). This is a painful injury that is usually caused by a traumatic event such as being hit by a car.
Not all cases are the result of major trauma. In some dogs, even a minor slip or awkward landing can lead to hip luxation. When that happens, it usually indicates an underlying issue, such as hip dysplasia. Hip dislocations are usually dorsal, with the joint moving upward and backward. Less commonly, it dislocates ventrally, moving downward and forward. The direction matters because it affects how the injury presents and which treatments are most effective.
Hip luxation typically results in sudden, severe lameness. The affected leg is often held off the ground and twisted externally. Discomfort is usually obvious, and activity is significantly reduced. Dogs may resist movement, vocalize when handled, and avoid moving around. In some cases, especially if the dislocation is chronic, the signs may be less dramatic but still include persistent limping or stiffness.
Diagnosis starts with an examination. The affected leg may appear shortened, and a bony “bump”, the displaced greater trochanter, can often be felt near the hip region. Range of motion is typically restricted and painful. X-rays are essential to confirm the diagnosis, determine the direction of dislocation, and check for fractures or underlying joint issues such as hip dysplasia. Imaging also helps guide the most appropriate treatment approach.
Closed reduction is a non-surgical technique where the dislocated hip is manually repositioned under anesthesia. This is typically attempted in most cases unless there are complicating factors such as fractures or severe joint disease. After the hip is put back in place, external support — such as a sling (like an Ehmer sling) or hobbles — is usually applied to help keep the joint stable during healing, though in some cases no immobilization is used. It’s most effective when done soon after injury and in dogs without underlying joint abnormalities.
If closed reduction fails or isn’t appropriate, open surgical reduction may be recommended. This involves surgically repositioning the femoral head into the socket and securing it using methods like a toggle pin. The choice of technique depends on factors such as the size of the dog, activity level, and direction of the dislocation. The success of open reduction also depends heavily on the condition of the joint. Dogs with concurrent injuries, pre-existing arthritis, or hip dysplasia may be at higher risk for complications such as re-luxation.
If the joint is too damaged or arthritic to be successfully reduced, salvage procedures are considered. Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) involves removing the ball of the hip joint to eliminate bone-on-bone contact and pain. It can be effective in smaller or less active dogs. Total hip replacement (THR) replaces the joint with implants. It is more technically demanding and more expensive, but results in near normal function. FHO is also an alternative to open reduction and stabilization if costs or re-luxation are major concerns.
The prognosis for hip luxation is generally good if the hip stays in place. Closed reduction is less invasive but has a high failure rate, with up to 50% of cases re-luxating, particularly in dogs with hip dysplasia or joint laxity. Approximately 10% of hips will re-luxate following open reduction and surgical stabilization. Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) or total hip replacement (THR) — can provide good outcomes. Of these, THR offers the most complete and reliable return to normal function, especially in large or active dogs.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, also known as avascular necrosis of the femoral head, is a condition in young, small-breed dogs where the ball of the hip joint loses its blood supply and begins to collapse, leading to pain and lameness.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (also known as avascular necrosis of the femoral head) is a condition seen in young, small-breed dogs where the head of the femur loses its blood supply and begins to collapse. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to involve poor blood flow during bone development. This leads to hip joint degeneration and discomfort. It most often affects toy breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Miniature Pinschers, typically between 4 to 12 months of age.
Dogs with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease often show signs of hind limb lameness that gradually worsens over time. You may notice limping, difficulty getting up, reluctance to play or jump, or signs of pain when the hip is touched. Some dogs may carry the affected leg entirely.
To diagnose Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, your vet will first examine your dog for signs like pain, stiffness, or muscle loss in the hip. X-rays are the main way to confirm it—they’ll usually show that the ball of the hip joint isn’t shaped normally.
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is typically treated with surgery. In some cases, pain medications and physical therapy may help manage symptoms, but these are usually temporary measures. The most common procedure is a femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO), which involves removing the damaged part of the hip joint to relieve pain and restore mobility. Total hip replacement is also an option, however small dogs usually have good outcomes with an FHO, which is both simpler and cheaper.
With surgery—typically a femoral head ostectomy (FHO)—most small dogs with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease recover well and regain good mobility. However, if the condition is chronic and has led to severe disuse or muscle loss, the prognosis can be more guarded, and full function may not return. Without surgery, the disease often leads to ongoing pain and lameness. Prompt treatment is strongly recommended to give the best chance for a successful outcome.
Hip fractures in dogs and cats can result from major trauma, like being hit by a car, or even from minor incidents in animals with underlying bone or joint conditions. Hip fractures include fractures of the femoral head (ball), the femoral neck, or the acetabulum (socket). As with most joint fractures, injury always causes some level of discomfort and disability.
Acetabular fractures involve the concave portion of the pelvis that receives the femoral head. These injuries are almost always trauma-associated and often accompanied by other pelvic injuries.
Fractures involving the capital physis occur at the growth plate between the femoral head and neck in young animals. This area is a point of structural weakness during skeletal development. This condition is often referred to as a slipped capital physis, and it may occur with little or no identifiable trauma, especially in male neutered cats. The exact cause is not fully understood, but hormonal influences, rapid growth, and biomechanical stresses may all play a role.
Femoral neck fractures occur within the narrow region between the femoral head and the shaft and are relatively less common than other types of hip fractures in dogs and cats. These fractures can occur at different levels within the neck—classified broadly as high (closer to the head) or low (closer to the shaft). They are often associated with trauma. In chronic cases, they can be difficult to distinguish from chronic capital physeal fractures.
Hip fractures in dogs and cats almost always result in significant pain and difficulty using the affected limb. Affected animals will limp or be unwilling to bear weight, and signs such as vocalization or guarding are common. Animals with certain hip fractures can be bilateral and/or occur concurrently with other serious injuries that prevent them from being able to stand or walk at all.
Evaluation begins with a thorough history and physical exam, which help determine the likely cause of injury, localize pain to the hip, and assess for other orthopedic or systemic issues. The next steps depend on the nature of the trauma. In high-impact injuries, a systemic workup—including bloodwork, chest X-rays, and abdominal imaging—is often warranted to check for more life-threatening problems. In low-impact or isolated injuries, the focus may shift more quickly to the orthopedic conditions. Radiographs (X-rays) are the primary tool for diagnosing hip fractures; in some cases, special views are needed to better understand the fracture pattern and how easily the joint can be realigned. CT imaging is particularly useful for complex fractures, especially those involving the acetabulum.
Treatment decisions for hip fractures depend first on whether the fracture is repairable with precision. In general, anatomical reconstruction is critical—if alignment and joint congruity aren’t restored perfectly, outcomes tend to be poor due to joint instability or arthritis. If repair isn’t feasible or predictably successful, a femoral head and neck excision (FHO) may be considered as an alternative, especially in small patients or chronic cases.
Once a fracture is deemed repairable, the next question is how to approach it surgically. The hip is a deep, muscular region, making traditional open approaches highly invasive and associated with significant soft tissue disruption. In select cases, particularly for specific femoral head or neck fractures, minimally invasive techniques may be possible, but they require careful patient selection and specialized skill.
The prognosis for hip fractures depends on the severity and location of the injury, as well as the accuracy of the repair. Precise realignment is key to restoring joint function and minimizing long-term complications. Osteoarthritis is a common concern over time, particularly if the joint surface is disrupted. However, with prompt and appropriate treatment, most dogs and cats are able to regain good mobility and quality of life, even if full function is not always restored.
Osteoarthritis is an extremely common problem in both dogs and cats. In some animals, it is very well tolerated and causes minimal issues, while in others, it is debilitating. Prevention and treatment recommendations are highly individualized.
Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease, arthritis, and osteoarthrosis. The main feature is thinning and wearing of cartilage, but it also affects other joint tissues, including bone, ligaments, joint capsule, and surrounding muscles. As the joint degenerates, the underlying bone can be exposed and both soft and hard tissues become thickened. The joint is not able to glide smoothly and through a full range of motion.
In dogs, osteoarthritis is usually secondary — it develops as a consequence of another joint problem such as ligament injury, fracture, or developmental disorders like elbow or hip dysplasia. Because secondary OA is so prevalent, identifying and addressing the underlying problem is critical for developing the best treatment strategies.
The most common cause of hip arthritis is hip dysplasia.
Classic symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
In cats, signs are often more subtle, like less movement around the home, avoidance of being touched, and reduced grooming habits. Importantly, many animals with osteoarthritis have no symptoms at all.
A careful orthopaedic exam is crucial. Affected joints may have thickening, reduced range of motion, pain, or crepitus (crunchiness). Multiple joints may be affected, so the examination should be thorough. It is also essential to determine any underlying causes. For example, instability in an arthritic stifle indicates the arthritis may be secondary to cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Radiographs are very important for confirming osteoarthritis, helping identify the cause, and gauging severity. In some cases, advanced imaging such as CT or MRI can give more detail about bone and soft tissue changes. Arthroscopy allows direct visualization of the joint interior and can be used both to confirm the diagnosis and to treat certain causes of secondary OA.
The aim is to reduce pain, improve movement, and, if possible, slow further damage. Osteoarthritis is frequently managed “medically,” which includes anti-inflammatory medication, weight control, joint supplements, and physical therapy. Many pets can stay comfortable for years with these measures alone.
Surgical options may be recommended for a variety of reasons:
The right approach depends on the joint involved, severity, your pet’s overall health, and activity needs.
Most dogs can enjoy many years of good quality of life with the right management plan. The course of the condition varies — some dogs show no symptoms for life, while others develop more significant mobility issues that can progress over time. Early diagnosis and proactive care, including weight control, tailored exercise, pain management, and when appropriate, surgical intervention, can slow progression and greatly improve comfort.
At Animal Orthopaedic Clinic of Florida, every patient benefits from unmatched expertise. Our head clinician is an internationally recognized leader and researcher in veterinary orthopaedic surgery. Using evidence-based, individualized care, we are dedicated to giving your dog the best chance at long-term, pain-free mobility.
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