Hip extension range in dogs with chronic cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency

Abstract

Canine cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a common veterinary orthopaedic problem, and has been associated with problems at the ipsilateral hip joint. However, the relationship between stifle and hip dysfunction has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this study was to establish whether CCL pathology is associated with a limitation in hip extension range large enough to affect gait. In a prospective, crosssectional study, passive and active hip extension range was determined in normal dogs as well as CCL deficient dogs. There was a significant reduction in ipsilateral passive hip extension range in the CCL deficient dogs (18.63º+/-7.57).There was a significant increase in hip extension range of the unaffected leg during gait compared to the normal group (7.03º+/-8.41). It was therefore concluded that canine CCL pathology directly affects hip extension range to a degree sufficient to affect normal gait.