Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Second Edition. Edited by Chris Zink and Janet B. Van Dyke.
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

353

Introduction

Orthopedic conditions of the pelvic limb are
some of the most frequently diagnosed causes
of lameness in the dog. Historically many
causes of lameness have been attributed to

joints and bones, rather than looking at the

importance of individual soft tissue structures.

As our understanding of rehabilitation therapy

and sports medicine grows, new conditions are

being identified, and conservative means of treat­

ment rather than surgical options are being used.

Disorders of the Pelvic Limb:

Diagnosis and Treatment

Peter J. Lotsikas, DVM, DACVS‐SA, DACVSMR, Faith M. Lotsikas, DVM,

CCRT, David Hummel, DVM, DACVS‐SA, Nina R. Kieves, DVM,

DACVS‐SA, DACVSMR, CCRT, Jonathan Dyce, MA, VetMB, MRCVS,

DSAO, DACVS, and Patrick A. Ridge, BVSc, Cert VR, Cert SAS, MRCVS

14

Summary

Orthopedic conditions of the pelvic limb are some of the most frequently diagnosed

causes of lameness in the dog. In the canine athlete as well as the active companion,

acute stretch‐induced muscle disorders are common occurrences, and are often under‐ or

misdiagnosed. The pelvic limb muscle disorders section of this chapter reviews the anat­

omy, diagnosis, and treatment of muscle strains. The next section of the chapter addresses

the primary arthropathies of the pelvic limb including hip dysplasia, hip luxation, and

conditions of the stifle; and cranial cruciate disease, meniscal injury, and patellar luxation.

For these conditions, both conservative and surgical management are discussed, as well

as prognosis and appropriate recovery time for return to function. The chapter concludes

with descriptions and treatment options for common tendon injuries of the pelvic limb

including calcanean tendon injury and luxation of the superficial digital flexor tendon.

While this chapter is intended to be an abbreviated explanation of various pelvic limb

conditions, it provides the sports medicine‐minded clinician the critical and pertinent

information necessary to manage these common conditions and injuries.