Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text

Chapter Four The Appendicular Skeleton 555
Fig. 4-104 A 3-year-old neutered male Labrador Retriever had been hit by a
car and was lame in the left hind limb. A, The ventrodorsal view reveals a luxation
of the right coxofemoral joint with cranial displacement of the femoral
head. B, The lateral view reveals that the femoral head is ventrally displaced.
Diagnosis: Cranioventral luxation of the left coxofemoral joint.
A
B
Trauma. Trauma to any of the tendinous or ligamentous structures around the joint may
cause minor or major joint instability and ultimately lead to luxation or subluxation and
secondary joint disease (Figs. 4-103 to 4-105). Fractures involving the articular surface or
that change the way that stress is loaded on a joint also may result in degenerative joint disease.
Ligament or cartilage damage or both frequently accompany intraarticular fractures.
Soft-tissue swelling; avulsion fracture fragments at the site of joint capsule, ligament, or