Hip Luxation

Hip luxation describes what happens when the ball of the femur (thigh bone) slips out of the socket in the pelvis. The joint is no longer sitting in its normal position, and the leg can no longer move in the usual way. This can happen after trauma—a fall, a road traffic accident, or an awkward landing—or occasionally in association with underlying hip disease. Owners often notice sudden, severe lameness in one hind leg. The affected leg may be carried off the ground, appear shorter than the other side, or sit at an unusual angle. Some dogs will still try to bear weight; others will not put the paw down at all. Cats tend to be similarly reluctant to use the leg, and may resist being touched around the hip. This page explores what signs often accompany hip luxation, what is happening at the joint itself, how the condition is confirmed, and the range of approaches—both surgical and non-surgical—that exist to address it. Each approach carries different expectations and tradeoffs, which are discussed in later sections.