Ultrasound is an accurate imaging modality for diagnosing hip luxation in dogs presenting with hind limb lameness

To determine the accuracy of ultrasound for diagnosing hip luxation in dogs presenting for hind limb lameness.

24 client-owned dogs presenting with pelvic limb lameness and concern for hip luxation were enrolled in this prospective diagnostic accuracy study from April 1, 2021, to July 1, 2022. An experienced ultrasonographer and a novice ultrasonographer, both masked to the diagnoses, performed hip ultrasonography using a point-of-care ultrasound machine. The experienced evaluator also performed a more comprehensive ultrasonography with a high-end ultrasound machine to characterize concurrent pelvis and hip disease. Pelvic radiographs served as the criterion standard for the diagnosis of hip luxation.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of hip luxation demonstrated high accuracy, ranging from 84.2% to 100% for detecting the presence of luxation and 80.6% to 98.1% for diagnosing the direction of luxation for the novice and experienced evaluators, respectively, with substantial interevaluator agreement (κ = 0.722). Compared to radiographs, ultrasound accurately diagnosed the presence of osteoarthrosis with almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.913) and the presence of fractures of the femoral head/neck and the nonaxial portions of the pelvis with substantial intermodality agreement (κ = 0.775). In 36% of patients, ultrasound identified injury to soft tissue structures that contribute to hip stability, including the gluteal muscles, gemelli, and joint capsule.

Ultrasound can be utilized to accurately diagnose the presence of hip luxation and document concurrent hip and pelvic disease.

Applications include the use of ultrasonography as part of a routine point-of-care protocol to catalogue injuries in patients with acute trauma and in mobile practice or remote settings where radiography is not readily available.