Coxofemoral (hip) luxation is a displacement of the femoral head out of the acetabulum, nearly always after trauma. It is the most common joint luxation in cats and dogs and usually follows a vehicle accident (Meeson 2021). The NAVLE angle is mostly practical: find it, check for fractures on radiographs before touching the joint, and decide between closed reduction, stabilization and excision.
Key facts
Hip luxation at a glance- Species and system: cats; musculoskeletal (traumatic).
- Cause: trauma, mostly motor vehicle accidents; the joint capsule tears and the ligament of the femoral head usually ruptures.
- Direction: craniodorsal in about 72%; caudoventral is much less common.
- Classic presentation: sudden severe or non-weight-bearing pelvic limb lameness after trauma, with the greater trochanter displaced from its normal landmark relationship.
- Best first step: radiographs, then closed reduction within 48 hours if there is no fracture.
- Zoonotic or reportable: no.
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 3 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 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.