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Laxity technique (hip dysplasia dog) (vet)

What is hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia (HD) is a multifactorial heritable developmental disorder of the hip joint. Due to the laxity present, there is reduced stability of the hip joint and this can give rise to degenerative changes of the joint (osteoarthritis).

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, with medium to large dog breeds being especially predisposed.

Laxity techniques

The diagnosis of hip dysplasia is made from an orthopedic examination combined by radiographs. Several radiographic techniques are available for this purpose, with the standard dorsoventral projection with the hip joint in extension (SVD) and the Vezzoni Modified Badertscher Distension Device (VMBDD) laxity scan being the most commonly used in our clinic. The VMBDD technique assesses the primary laxity of the hip joint using objective measurements. This technique has the advantage that it can be fully assessed in our department by experienced radiologists, without having to send or transfer the images (this is in contrast to other laxity techniques). The SVD technique assesses secondary arthritic changes of the hip joint. Thus, the SVD and the VMBDD technique are complementary to make up a diagnosis of hip dysplasia. Both techniques require deep sedation of the dog for a short period of time.

Screening for breeding

In addition to diagnosis of hip dysplasia in dogs with orthopedic problems, we also offer a possibility of screening for breeding purposes. Here, both SVD and VMBDD can be taken and sent to Sint-Hubertus as well as provided with an official assessment. This allows the breeder to make an informed choice in the selection of the parent animals.

Treatment of hip dysplasia

There are several possibilities for the treatment of hip dysplasia and the choice of treatment is partly determined by the age, weight, degree of arthrosis and function of the dog.

Our department does extensive research on this condition and in particular on the VMBDD laxity recording and is happy to share its expertise through the course "Canine Hip Dysplasia: because hips don't lie". If you are interested in taking this course or should you have any questions, please contact Louis Vandekerckhove (louis.vandekerckhove@ugent.be).

Additional information for veterinarians

Research on hip dysplasia is one of the important spearheads of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Recent publications on this topic are:

• Broeckx et al. Comparison of three methods to quantify laxity in the canine hip joint. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31(01): 023-029.
• Bertal et al. Intra- and interobserver variability of measurements of the laxity index on stress radiographs performed with the Vezzoni modified Badertscher hip distension device. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2018; 31(04): 246-251.
• Bertal et al. Technical Repeatability and Reproducibility of the Stress Radiographs Performed with the Vezzoni-Modified Badertscher Hip Distension Device. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2019; 32(01): 067-072.
• Bertal et al. Analysis of a laxity index database and comparison with the fédération cynologique internationale grades of this population. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2021; 34(02):108-114
• Vandekerckhove et al. Development and validation of a device to measure the force applied to the coxofemoral joint during stress radiography for early diagnosis of Canine Hip Dysplasia. Medical Engineering & Physics 2023; 112.
• Vandekerckhove et al. Quantifying the stress in stress-radiographs to determine sufficient laxity of the coxofemoral joint: a Canine Hip Dysplasia cadaver study. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2023.

The course is always taught in small groups of 6 participants and includes both theoretical and practical sessions and takes only 1 day.

If you want to refer a patient, ask the owner to contact the secretariat (09/264 77 00). All over Belgium, the undermentioned veterinarians have proven to properly apply this technique after training and succeeding for the exams. You can always contact them: