In dogs, hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. Hip Dysplasia is the most common single cause of arthritis in the hips.
Hip dysplasia may be caused by the femur that does not fit correctly into the pelvic socket, or poorly developed muscles in the pelvic area supporting these bones. The joint tries to help itself by producing new cartilage but this is a relatively slow process. The joint gradually degrades due to abnormal wear and tear and it may not be able to support the bodyweight of the animal. This is when the joint becomes inflamed and a cycle of cartilage damage, inflammation and pain commences. This process spirals, in that the more the joint becomes damaged, the less able it is to resist further damage. This breakdown of cartilage results in painful bone-to-bone contact known as osteoarthritis.
