CONDITION
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.
Why this matters now
Hip luxation can occur at any age, though the underlying cause often differs by life stage. Younger, active dogs may luxate a hip during vigorous play or after trauma, while older animals with pre-existing hip dysplasia or degenerative joint disease may experience luxation after relatively minor strain. Certain breeds with shallow hip sockets—such as toy and small-breed dogs—tend to be more vulnerable. Cats of any age can luxate a hip, most often following a fall or road traffic accident.
The luxation itself happens in a single event, but what follows varies considerably between individuals. Some hips remain stable after the initial displacement and the leg stays non-weight-bearing, while others may partially reduce and then slip out again with movement. Over the hours and days that follow, soft tissue swelling around the joint typically increases, and muscle spasm can make the leg appear progressively more fixed in an abnormal position. Without intervention, chronic changes—including muscle atrophy and joint remodelling—tend to develop over weeks to months.
Signals & patterns
Early signals
Sudden severe lameness
The dog or cat will often stop using the affected hind leg within moments of the luxation occurring. The limb may be held clear of the ground, and the animal may vocalise or show visible distress when attempting to move.
Leg held at odd angle
The affected leg may appear rotated inward or outward compared to the other side, and the paw may point in an unusual direction. This reflects the new position of the femoral head relative to the pelvis.
Apparent shortening of the leg
The luxated leg often looks shorter than its pair when the animal is standing or lying down. This happens because the femoral head has moved out of the socket, altering the effective length of the limb.
Reluctance to be touched
Many animals will flinch, pull away, or vocalise when the hip area is approached or gently palpated. The joint capsule and surrounding muscles are under tension, and any movement can be uncomfortable.
Weight-shifting when standing
If the animal attempts to stand, weight is typically shifted entirely onto the unaffected hind leg and the forelimbs. Some dogs will hop on three legs rather than place the luxated limb on the ground.
Later signals
Visible muscle wasting
Over days to weeks of disuse, the muscles of the affected thigh and hip begin to lose bulk. The leg may appear noticeably thinner compared to the opposite side, particularly over the quadriceps and gluteal muscle groups.
Persistent abnormal gait
If the luxation remains unreduced, the animal may develop a compensatory way of moving, often bearing partial weight on the toe or outer edge of the paw. This pattern can become habitual even if the hip is later addressed.
Reduced range of hip movement
Chronic luxation can lead to fibrosis and thickening of the joint capsule, and the hip may become stiffer over time. Passive movement of the leg—if tolerated—often reveals a more limited arc compared to the normal side.
Click to read about the biological mechanisms
How this is usually investigated
Options & trade-offs
Last reviewed: Invalid Date ·