Treatment options for hip dysplasia in dogs: Surgical and Non-Surgical

Getting a diagnosis from your vet that your dog suffers from hip dysplasia can be very worrying for the dog owner, as it is one of the most common genetically inherited canine conditions overall. However, a diagnosis does not mean there is no hope. There are various ways to treat and manage the condition to improve your dog’s quality of life, and in some cases, potentially correct the condition for the long term.

What is hip dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is an abnormal development of the hip joints, causing looseness of muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that should hold the ball and socket of the hips firmly in place. As the condition progresses, the ill-fitting ball and socket joints may begin to separate, a process called "subluxation," where the femur’s head and pelvic socket do not align properly and can loosen during movement. Over time, this leads to joint malformation, pain, and altered walking or running gait. Hip dysplasia may affect one or both hips, and even if initially one side is affected, the other side often follows.

How can I check if my dog might develop hip dysplasia?

Symptoms often don’t appear until dogs are around 18 months old. The principal way to assess the risk is by knowing if either parent has the condition. Hip scoring tests offer a clearer idea of the hip joint’s health and the likelihood of development in puppies. Responsible breeders do not use dogs that score poorly or already show hip dysplasia for breeding, though it is important to ensure your breeder follows these ethical guidelines.

Some breeds prone to hip dysplasia include:

Bulldog puppies
Pug puppies
Dogue de Bordeaux puppies
Otterhound puppies
Boerboel puppies
Neapolitan Mastiff puppies
Saint Bernard puppies
Clumber Spaniel puppies
Basset Hound puppies
Norfolk Terrier puppies
French Bulldog puppies
Bloodhound puppies
Bullmastiff puppies
Rottweiler puppies
Welsh Corgi puppies
Golden Retriever puppies
Chow Chow puppies
Shih Tzu puppies
German Shepherd puppies
Great Dane puppies
Labrador Retriever puppies

These breeds can have a 10% to 60% chance of developing hip dysplasia based on testing data.

Current treatment options for hip dysplasia

Treatment aims to either surgically correct the hip joint or manage symptoms to minimise pain and slow disease progression. Decisions consider the dog's age, clinical condition, lifestyle, and cost factors.

Surgical treatments

Double Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO)

Ideal for young dogs (6-18 months) without significant arthritis. It involves cutting and repositioning pelvic bones to improve joint fit, reduce pain, and lower arthritis development risk, offering excellent long-term results.

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)

This removes the damaged femoral head, allowing a pain-free “false joint” to form. Suited to young and mature dogs, FHO eases pain but does not restore normal hip function, considered a salvage option.

Total Hip Replacement (THR)

This replaces the entire hip joint with artificial components, providing the best chance to restore function and eliminate pain. Recommended for severe cases or advanced arthritis, THR is complex and requires a specialist surgeon.

Symphysiodesis

A preventative surgery performed on very young puppies (15-20 weeks) that closes a growth plate in the pelvis to increase joint stability and prevent future problems. It is minimally invasive and implant-free.

Emerging surgical options

Newer procedures like Darthroplasty, cutting and shaping the joint socket to improve stability in young dogs, show promise but are still specialised and less widely available.

Non-surgical management

When surgery isn’t suitable, management focuses on controlling symptoms:

• Maintaining a healthy weight to minimise joint stress.
• Providing moderate, controlled exercise to keep joints mobile without overdoing it.
• Using anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications, often NSAIDs, under vet guidance.
• Supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and omega-3 fatty acids to support joint cartilage health.
• Physical therapy and hydrotherapy to strengthen muscles and improve mobility.
• Alternative therapies like acupuncture or stem cell treatment may be considered but need vet consultation.

While medical management cannot cure hip dysplasia, it can make life comfortable and delay severe progression.

When to seek veterinary advice

If you notice your dog showing signs of difficulty moving, limping, or unusual gait, early veterinary assessment is essential. Hip dysplasia is progressive, and early intervention often broadens treatment options and improves success rates.