In the normal anatomy of the hip joint, the root (the thigh bone) is connected to the pelvis at the hip joint. The almost spherical end of the femur head fits into the acetabulum. The bony surface of the femur head and of the acetabulum are covered by cartilage. While bones provide the strength necessary to support body weight, cartilage ensures a smooth fit and a wide range of motion. Normal hip function can be affected by congenital conditions such as dysplasia, discussed in this article, trauma, and by acquired diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Dysplastic hip anatomy
Researchers agree that hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. If a parent has hip dysplasia, then the animal's offspring are at greater risk for developing hip dysplasia.
In a hip suffering from dysplasia, two things are commonly abnormal.
* The caput is not deeply and tightly held by the acetabulum. Instead of being a snug fit, it is a loose fit, or a partial fit.
* Secondly, the caput or acetabulum are not smooth and round, but are misshapen, causing abnormal wear and tear or friction within the joint as it moves.
The body reacts to this in several ways: the joint itself is continually repairing itself and laying down new cartilage. So the joint may suffer degradation due to the abnormal wear and tear, or may not support the body weight as intended. The joint becomes inflamed and a cycle of cartilage damage, inflammation and pain commences. This is a self-fueling process, in that the more the joint becomes damaged, the less able it is to resist further damage. The inflammation causes further damage. The hip condition is only one factor to determine the extent to which dysplasia is causing pain or affecting the quality of life. In mild to moderate dysplasia it is often the secondary effects of abnormal wear and tear or arthritis, rather than dysplasia itself, which is the direct causes of visible problems.
This is Wilson x-ray if you look on the left side the caput is not deeply and tightly held by the acetabulum. Instead of being a snug fit, it is a loose fit. On the right side the caput is inside but not held at it should be in a normal dog.
Treatments:
* A glucosamine based nutritional supplement may give the body additional raw materials used in joint repair and a low fat diet is a must. The less weight the dog carries the better.
*Reasonable exercise stimulates cartilage growth and reduces degeneration (though excessive exercise can do harm too), and also regular long walks in early or mild dysplasia can help prevent loss of muscle mass to the hips. Medication can reduce pain and discomfort, and also reduce damaging inflammation.
* Massage and physical therapy and acupuncture: Your veterinarian or the veterinary staff can show you how to perform physical therapy and massage on your dog to help relax stiff muscles and promote a good range of motion in the joints.
* Warmth and good sleeping areas: Most people with arthritis find that the symptoms tend to worsen in cold, damp weather.
* For more infos: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=444
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire