Coxofemoral (hip) luxation is displacement of the femoral head out of the acetabulum, almost always after trauma. The hip is the joint dogs luxate most often, and the direction of luxation decides both the examination findings and the aftercare. For the NAVLE, you need to recognize the direction from the limb's position, know when closed reduction is reasonable, and pick the right support afterward.
Key facts
Hip luxation at a glance- Species and system: dogs (also cats); musculoskeletal, coxofemoral joint.
- Cause: trauma in most dogs, with vehicular trauma behind up to 83% of traumatic luxations; hip dysplasia and degeneration increase the risk.
- Frequency: the hip is the joint dogs luxate most often (about 90% of all luxations in one review); most hip luxations are craniodorsal (about 78–80% in clinical reviews; ACVS gives 90%).
- Classic presentation: sudden non-weight-bearing hindlimb lameness after trauma, with a shortened limb and the stifle rotated outward (craniodorsal).
- Not zoonotic or reportable. Concurrent injuries are common: assess the whole patient first.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 10 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.