Asymmetrical lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in dogs may promote asymmetrical hip joint development

Mark A. Flückiger; Frank Steffen; Michael Hässig; Joseph P. Morgan

doi:10.3415/VCOT-16-05-0072

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2017; 30(02): 137-142
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-16-05-0072

Original Research

Schattauer GmbH

Asymmetrical lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in dogs may promote asymmetrical hip joint development

Authors

Mark A. Flückiger

¹Clinic of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Small Animal Clinics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Frank Steffen

²Clinic of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Small Animal Clinics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Michael Hässig

³Section of Herd Health, Department of Farm Animal Clinics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Joseph P. Morgan

⁴Department of Small Animal Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies

Abstract

Summary

Objectives: This study examines the relationship between the morphology of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) and asymmetrical development of the hip joints in dogs.

Methods: A total of 4000 dogs which had been consecutively scored for canine hip dysplasia were checked for the presence of a LTV. A LTV was noted in 138 dogs and classified depending on the morphology of the transverse processes and the degree of contact with the ilium.

Results: In dogs with an asymmetrical LTV, the hip joint was significantly more predis-posed to subluxation and malformation on the side of the intermediate or sacral-like transverse process (p <0.01), on the side of the elevated pelvis (p <0.01), or when an asymmetrical LTV resulted in pelvic rotation on its long axis (p <0.01), whereas hip joint conformation was less affected on the side featuring a free transverse process (p <0.01).

Clinical significance: The results support our hypothesis that an asymmetrical LTV favours pelvic rotation over its long axis, resulting in inadequate femoral head coverage by the acetabulum on one side. Inadequate coverage of the femoral head favours subluxation, malformation of the hip joint, and secondary osteoarthritis. Asymmetrical hip conformation may therefore be the sequela of a LTV and mask or aggravate genetically induced canine hip dysplasia.

Keywords

Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae - dog - developmental orthopaedic disorders - diagnostic radiology - hip dysplasia

Full Text

References

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