Case Study

CT – moderate hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis with severe cartilage damage in a 9 year old FS dog

This 9 year old FS canine mix presented with a history of difficulty walking and painful in her hind end. Rads were taken and an osteoarthritis was noted in her left hip. She began taking Tramadol and Rimadyl. She was seen for a follow-up pne month later and radsshowed changes in the left femoral head. CT was done in order to help rule out trauma, femoral head and neck necrosis, or neoplasia.

Physical Exam: Acute lameness (left side)

Image Interpretation

CT of the pelvis, plain and post contrast – There are moderate signs of hip dysplasia and secondary osteoarthritis of the left
coxofemoral joint.
Dorsolateral subluxation with reduced femoral head coverage is noted as well as
divergence of the coxofemoral joint space and subchondral bone sclerosis. The
acetabular groove is mildly flattened. A moderate amount of smooth new bone is noted
curvilinear and circumferential to the femoral head and neck. There is appositional
growth of new bone at the articular margin of the acetabulum.
Deep wedge shaped subchondral bone defects circumscribed by a broad sclerotic
margin are noted at the proximolateral aspect of the femoral head apposing the
acetabular roof.
The right coxofemoral joint reveals mild joint space divergence, subchondral bone
sclerosis, reduced femoral head coverage and minor dorsolateral subluxation. There are
no osteoarthritic changes.
The lumbosacral disc is in situ. There is no evidence of lumbosacral stenosis or Cauda
equina compression.
Mild disuse atrophy of the left thigh muscles is noted.

DX

The CT findings are compatible with moderate hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the left coxofemoral joint. Furthermore there is indication of severe subchondral bone and cartilage damage of the femoral head caused by mechanical irritation as a function of the increased joint laxity.

Outcome

This usually is very painful and likely to be the underlying
cause of the clinical lameness here.
Mild signs of hip dysplasia without secondary degenerative joint disease are noted for
the right coxofemoral joint. There is no indication of clinical significance at this point.
There is no evidence of trauma, femoral head and neck necrosis or neoplasia.

Patient Information

Patient Name : Snicker Elliot/neel

Gender : Female, Spayed

Species : Canine

Type of Imaging : Ultrasound

Status : Complete

Liz Wuz Here : Yes

Clinical Signs

Lameness
Pain

Images

Clinical Signs

Lameness
Pain