Canine Hip Luxation Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Coxofemoral luxation (hip luxation) is the most commonly luxated joint in dogs, accounting for approximately 90% of all joint luxations. The condition occurs when the femoral head is displaced from the acetabulum, disrupting the ball-and-socket articulation of the hip joint. This represents a high-yield topic for the NAVLE examination due to its frequency in clinical practice and the importance of timely, appropriate intervention.

Vehicular trauma is the cause of up to 85% of coxofemoral luxations. Other causes include falls, jumping from moving vehicles, severe hip dysplasia, and spontaneous luxation in dysplastic joints. Craniodorsal luxation accounts for approximately 78-80% of cases, making it the most common direction of luxation.

Anatomy of the Coxofemoral Joint

The coxofemoral joint is a diarthrodial ball-and-socket articulation between the femoral head (the ball) and the acetabulum (the socket) of the pelvis. Understanding the stabilizing structures is critical for both diagnosis and treatment planning.