Hip Lameness in Horses

Introduction

Hip lameness is not a common condition in horses. It represents 0.2 to 0.5% of our case load. The diagnosis of coxofemoral joint injuries is not easy in adult horses, but has been considerably improved with the use of ultrasonography.
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how useful is ultrasonography in the evaluation of the hip area and to attract attention on 4 conditions of this region.

Clinical manifestations

Three main types of situations con be seen with hip problems:
- acute and severe lameness following trauma, more frequent in foals and yearlings. Limb mobilisation is painful and crepitation often can be heard. This situation is compatible with acetabular of femoral neck fractures;
- chronic, progressive lameness in adult horses compatible with coxofemoral osteoarthrosis;
- acute lameness followed with low grade lameness is seen with fractures of the third trochanter.

Imaging the hip area

Diagnostic imaging of the coxofemoral joint and proximal femur must be considered in the following indications: history of trauma to the pelvis; swelling or local deformation of the hip area, identified externally or through transrectal palpation; pain to mobilisation during protraction, retraction or abduction; radiographic abnormal findings (especially in foals); positive intraarticular analgesia with or without radiographic findings ; positive findings on nuclear scintigraphic images.

Radiographic examination of the hip in adult horses requires a powerful machine and detailed imaging requires general anesthesia. Ultrasonography can be made on the standing horse and may provide essential information for the diagnosis and management of the patient. [...]