Hip Dysplasia Insights from Labradors

Hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis are clinical realities nearly every small animal veterinarian confronts, often daily. While treatments continue to evolve, a recent discussion among IndeVets during our Journal Club meeting highlighted a study that reframes our assumptions about managing lameness in dogs with hip dysplasia.

The study, published in JAVMA, explores the associations between exercise duration, lameness severity, and hip joint range of motion (ROM) in Labrador Retrievers with hip dysplasia. And the findings? They’re not just informative – they’re practice-changing.

Here’s what we uncovered, what it means for your patients, and how collaboration across a community like IndeVets advances clinical care.

Setting the scene: what the study looked at

The prospective case series involved 60 client-owned Labrador Retrievers diagnosed with canine hip dysplasia (CHD). Researchers assessed:

• Daily exercise duration and type (high vs. low impact)
• Passive hip ROM via goniometry
• Radiographic evidence of joint degeneration, including osteophytes and luxation
• Lameness scoring based on gait evaluation

The goal? To determine how movement (or the lack of it) correlates with clinical signs and joint health.

Key findings: movement matters, more than you might think

During the Journal Club session, IndeVets were especially drawn to one major takeaway: dogs who exercised longer each day showed significantly less lameness.

“That was the biggest takeaway from his whole lecture… longer daily exercise was associated with lower lameness scores,” said Dr. Michelle Trewartha, reflecting on a recent CE session that aligned with the study’s findings.

Additional clinical pearls included:

• Hip extension loss increases with age and body weight.
• Lameness severity was highest in dogs with luxated hips, compared to those with subluxation or no joint displacement.
• Interestingly, exercise type (high vs. low impact) didn’t significantly influence lameness severity.
• Hip flexion didn’t correlate with lameness at all.

These insights encourage a reevaluation of conservative management strategies – one that leans into intentional, consistent exercise as a cornerstone of care.

Clinical implications: rethinking conservative management

For veterinarians managing CHD, the findings offer both validation and a push to evolve protocols. In a time when “rest and restrict” may still be commonly advised, this study confirms that movement is medicine, even for dogs with chronic orthopedic disease.

Rather than limiting a dog’s activity in fear of exacerbating symptoms, encouraging owners to maintain or increase daily activity – with thoughtful guidance – may offer better outcomes.

“You don’t want to restrict their activity. You actually want to increase it, but be super intentional about it,” Dr. Trewartha noted.

This matches a trend in human medicine too. Evidence-based guidelines for osteoarthritis in humans support aerobic, resistance, and aquatic therapy. Now, there’s good reason to suggest similar modalities for our canine patients.

From journal reading to real life: how IndeVets collaborate for better outcomes

One of the standout benefits of being an IndeVet is access to a community of highly competent, always-kind veterinarians, including a private clinical chat for real-time collaboration and monthly Journal Club discussions.

The Journal Club format allows IndeVets to not just digest research but discuss how it applies in practice – sharing experiences, debating nuances, and translating findings into real-life protocols. And because our model gives vets the time and mental space to go deeper into cases, they’re more likely to apply these insights effectively.

This kind of community-driven learning reflects IndeVets’ belief that great medicine happens when vets have the support they deserve.

Actionable takeaways for practicing vets on hip dysplasia

Whether you’re an IndeVet or not, here’s how this study and discussion can inform your next case of CHD:

• Encourage daily exercise
  Even in dogs with radiographic evidence of CHD and mild lameness, consistent activity (60+ minutes/day) may reduce symptoms.
• Focus on extension loss as a marker
  Hip extension (not flexion) is the key range to monitor as a predictor of disease progression and functional impairment.
• Don’t fear high-impact play
  There was no correlation between exercise type and worsening lameness, so a game of fetch may not be off the table.
• Consider age and weight as factors in ROM decline
  Use these as motivators for weight management discussions with clients.
• Measure ROM to track progress
  Use goniometry as a simple, objective way to monitor disease progression—or response to treatment.

“The biggest clinical takeaway? Keep it simple. Keep them moving.” – Dr. Trewartha

Ready to practice medicine the way it was meant to be?

Join our next IndeVets webinar or connect with us to find out how we’re transforming veterinary careers – one vet (and one case) at a time.

References

• Greene LM, Marcellin-Little DJ, Lascelles BDX. Associations among exercise duration, lameness severity, and hip joint range of motion in Labrador Retrievers with hip dysplasia. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;242(11):1528-1533.
• IndeVets Journal Club, September 2025.