28/11/2025
Function and Structure (post by orthoVET )
Before a hip shows structural changes, the dog changes its movement pattern. This fact has been proven in orthopedic research for years: function changes earlier than structure.
The first signs of HD/ED are not radiological signs, but functional deviations: shift in support time, reduced thrust, altered range of motion, asymmetrical pelvic tilt, micro-deviations in stride sequence and rhythm.
These changes occur months to years before visible changes appear on X-rays. This means that the X-ray shows the damage, but the movement shows the path that led to it. Why this is important: Many dogs have unremarkable X-rays at an early age, but already show compensatory patterns in their gait. These patterns are often minimal, too minimal to be reliably detected visually. And it is precisely in this area that incorrect loading occurs, which can later lead to structural damage.
This is why gait analysis is the most sensitive component of early orthopedic diagnosis: it measures how the dog actually bears weight, not just what its joints look like.
This does not mean that X-rays are unimportant. X-rays are crucial for structural classification. But without functional diagnostics, half the picture is missing.
For skeptics or critics who say, “HD can be seen on X-rays”: Yes, if it has already manifested itself structurally. But the orthopedic question is:
>> How can we prevent it from getting to that point in the first place?
The answer is always the same: by understanding how the dog moves long before the structure is damaged.
Function is the early indicator. Structure is the end point.
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I fully agree here.
And can add another way to prevent that the structure gets damaged: Have the dog checked by a cranio sacral Osteopath.
Or Bowen or Contact Care practitioner.
We have no access to gait analysis here for dogs - none I am aware of.
But we have Osteopaths who can do the same.
ALL but the usual pain meds to have the dog walk painfree while functioning wrongly. Leading to damaged structure
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