Physical Therapy for Dogs with Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a condition that can affect any dog. It occurs due to an improperly formed joint. This causes laxity in the hip and over time, it can result in a number of issues. Hip dysplasia may lead to bone spurs, cartilage damage, scar tissue, and arthritis. Most commonly, it causes pain and makes it difficult for your dog to jump or move around as comfortably as they usually do.

Typically, hip dysplasia occurs in younger dogs, although dogs of any age can suffer. It can also occur in older dogs where hip laxity is present. Larger breeds such as German Shepherds, Saint Bernards, Labradors, Golden retrievers, and more are at the highest risk. With that said, any dog can be affected by hip dysplasia, and early detection is the key to success. So, if you notice any signs of hip dysplasia, consult your vet as soon as possible.

Therapy for dogs with hip dysplasia can only begin once a proper diagnosis is made. Essentially, the quicker you can get a diagnosis, the quicker your dog can begin its road to recovery. Depending on the severity of the issue, a range of treatments can be considered, such as surgery, physical therapy, pain management, and many more. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can apply the correct treatments to ensure your dog has a healthy and happy future.

Diagnosis typically follows an owner noticing symptoms, such as limping, shifting their weight regularly, running unusually, or being reluctant to jump. A veterinarian will most likely perform a number of physical examinations, consider your dog’s medical history, and also request imaging such as an x-ray.

Physical therapy is considered a vital part of any treatment plan for hip dysplasia. Whether your dog needs rehabilitation following surgery, or you’ve elected to treat hip dysplasia conservatively with physical therapy, it’s a crucial step in both cases. Physical therapy helps to alleviate pain, strengthen the muscles around the hip joint, improve joint function, and increase mobility, which are all important steps in your dog’s recovery.

Not only can physical therapy help to address a current injury, but it can also help to prevent further issues. By recovering with a tailored rehabilitation program, your dog may be able to avoid surgery, reduce medications, and experience a much greater quality of life. Without physical therapy, your dog’s condition is almost certain to worsen, which is painful for your dog. It can also mean expensive surgery, which are both things you’d rather avoid.

Technically, hip dysplasia describes a condition that causes a painful, stiff hip joint with reduced mobility. Of course, you can’t see the inner workings of your dog’s joints and ligaments, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for other signs. All dogs have different pain tolerance, but the signs of hip dysplasia are usually common.

Limping (lameness) is almost certain if your dog has hip dysplasia. You might see your dog shifting their weight to their front limbs regularly to alleviate stress on their hind legs and hips. Another telltale sign is that dogs are reluctant to jump and they run oddly. If your four-legged friend loves getting on the couches or beds, and they suddenly stop, it’s a big warning sign. In some cases, you may even notice visible muscle weakness on a particular leg.

Needless to say, it’s a very painful condition for dogs, so acting fast is the best way to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. Early intervention ensures the right treatment plan for your dog’s individual needs.

Exercise is extremely beneficial for all dogs, regardless of whether they have hip dysplasia or not. Most importantly, exercise helps your dog maintain a healthy weight. Aside from a number of other health benefits, a healthy weight means less pressure on your dog’s joints. Exercise also helps to strengthen the muscles around joints, minimizing the risk of further injury. In general, exercise helps to maintain good joint health and mobility.

However, therapy for dogs with hip dysplasia should be done in a controlled way. Exercise should be gentle, low-impact, and carefully monitored. The idea is to gradually improve your dog’s hip strength and function, but too much can exacerbate the problem. Gentle walking is great, ideally on flat surfaces or very mild inclines. Swimming or hydrotherapy is also perfect because there is virtually no impact on the joints.

Low-impact, controlled movements are always best for dogs with hip dysplasia. Generally, your dog will move around reasonably well, albeit with some lameness. But they won’t be keen on anything like jumping. So, the best exercise is usually walking.

When walking your dog with hip dysplasia, try to stay on level surfaces. This allows your dog to walk without complications. You also need to monitor their movement carefully. If you notice increased lameness, your dog needs to rest.

Swimming is excellent too, because your dog moves its legs underwater with no extra stress on the joint. Not all dogs enjoy swimming, but some canine physical therapists offer hydrotherapy to achieve a similar result.