Page 384 - Canine Lameness

356 20 Hip Region

(A) (C) (E)

(B) (D) (F)
Figure 20.5 Pelvic fractures II: (A, B) sacral fracture (black arrow) and multiple fractures of the ischium
and pubis in a dog; (C, D) severely displaced slipped capital physeal fracture that is easily identified on
radiographs; (E, F) minimally displaced (black arrow) slipped capital physeal fracture and (white arrow)
acetabular fracture. Note that the physeal fracture is difficult to identify on radiographs. (F) Fluoroscopy
HIP REGION aided in establishing the diagnosis of (black arrow) mild displacement of the fracture.

Fractures of the femoral neck can occur in patients of any age and can be classified as intracap-
sular or extracapsular. These fractures can also be challenging to diagnose, particularly if they are
minimally displaced, and may require additional imaging (e.g. CT or fluoroscopy) to accomplish a
diagnosis. For both fractures (capital physeal and femoral neck fractures), surgical repair is gener-
ally recommended, or if not possible salvage with a femoral head and neck ostectomy or total hip
arthroplasty.

20.4 Coxofemoral Luxation

Coxofemoral luxation (CFL) accounts for 90% of all luxations seen in dogs (Wardlaw and
McLaughlin 2018). For the coxofemoral joint to luxate, two or more of the primary stabilizers
must be disrupted. The amount of soft tissue injury that occurs allowing for CFL varies; how-
ever, at minimum a portion of the ligament of the head of femur and the joint capsule must be
disrupted. In addition, surrounding musculature including the gluteal muscles may be dis-
rupted, partially or fully. In some cases, avulsion of a portion of the head of the femur occurs
with disruption to the ligament of the head of the femur. Damage to the acetabulum may also
occur but is rare.