Case Study

RAD – Hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and disuse atrophy in a 4 year old FS Husky dog

This 4 year old FS Husky dog has a history of favoring LH leg.

Physical Exam: Unable to exam awake; sedated orthopedic exam unremarkable; negative drawer and thrust both stifles; thighs symmetrical

CBC/Chem wnl

This 4 year old FS Husky dog has a history of favoring LH leg.

Physical Exam: Unable to exam awake; sedated orthopedic exam unremarkable; negative drawer and thrust both stifles; thighs symmetrical

CBC/Chem wnl

DX

The radiographic findings are consistent with moderate left sided and mild right sided hip dysplasia and mild secondary osteoarthritis of the left coxofemoral joint.

Image Interpretation

Rads of the hip and stifle joints-
Left stifle joint:
The volume of the left hind limb muscles is mildly reduced consistent with chronic
disuse atrophy. The articular soft tissue opacity is within normal limits. The joint
surfaces are even and smooth. No cranial thrust of the tibia is seen.
The tarsal joint is included in the mediolateral view of the stifle joint and presents
moderate osteophytosis at the dorsal aspect of the intertarsal joint.
Right stifle joint:
The articular soft tissue opacity is within normal limits. The joint surfaces are even and
smooth. No cranial thrust of the tibia is seen.
The tarsal joint is included in the mediolateral view of the stifle joint and presents mild
osteophytosis at the dorsal aspect of the intertarsal joint.
Coxofemoral joints:
Both coxofemoral joints reveal signs of hip dysplasia. Only one third and one half of
the femoral head is covered by the dorsal acetabular rim on the left and right side
respectively. There is marked divergence of the joint space on the left side with lateral
subluxation of the femoral head. The subchondral bone plate of the acetabulum
presents marked sclerosis. A rim of periarticular osteophytes is seen at the femoral
head. Similar findings are noted on the right side, but to a lesser degree.

Outcome

There is mild generalized disuse atrophy of the left thigh muscles.
Both intertarsal joints reveal signs of osteoarthritis, which is moderate on the left and
mild on the right hind limb. The clinical significance is questionable. The findings
should be correlated with the clinical examination.
Both stifle joints are within normal limits radiographically.