Common causes of lameness in the dog Part 2: The hind limb

Abstract

Good radiographs of skeletal structures are important in achieving accurate diagnosis. Orthogonal views of each region are usually required and, as stated for the forelimb, radiographs centred and exposed for each region of the limb are superior to one projection of the entire limb. Also, if possible, it is extremely useful to attempt to localise lameness prior to radiography, as survey radiographs are rarely as useful as those for which there is a strong clinical indication. THE HIP JOINT AND PELVIS Positioning Ventrodorsal view For a ventrodorsal projection, the patient is positioned in dorsal recumbency with the pelvis and pelvic limbs positioned symmetrically; the femurs should be fully extended and parallel, with the stifle slightly inwardly rotated so that the patellae are superimposed over the distal femoral trochlear groove. The beam is centred at the level of the pubic brim, which corresponds to the level of the hip joints. It is important to position ventrodorsal radiographs accurately, as even slight rotation can cause artefactual apparent subluxation of one femoral head, with acetabular coverage of the contralateral femoral head apparently increased. Ventrodorsal projections with the hips flexed may occasionally be useful. Lateral view