Clean Run - February 2020 - 51

The hip

When palpating the stifle, if your dog
is standing, gently lift the limb off the
ground. If your dog does not tolerate
standing, this assessment can be done
with the dog lying down.
Flex and extend the stifle, placing it
through full range of motion. We call this
passive range of motion (PROM). This
motion should be comfortable for your
dog without any resistance. If you note
resistance, do not force it! Make a note of
the limitations in your log and move on.
Palpate the front of the stifle to see if there
is any swelling or heat in this area. Gently
feel both stifles at the same time to note
any difference in size, shape, thickness,
or temperature. Since stifle injury (CCL in
canines and ACL in humans) is the most
common cause of hind limb lameness in
dogs, we recommend frequently assessment of this area for normal reference in
case any changes are noted in the future.
As you continue up the hind limb, you
will feel the quadriceps muscle group

Assessing hip extension

Performing the bounce test
for iliopsoas tension

(quads) in the front and the hamstrings in the back. There should be nice, equal symmetry and tone in both limbs. Now, continue up the limb with our final stop, the hip.
See Figure 7.
To assess hip range of motion, stabilize the dog's lower back with one hand flat on top
of the pelvis, while gently placing your opposite hand just above the stifle. Then gently
bring the stifle back, which will extend the hip. See Figure 8. If you feel that your canine
is resisting you on extension, do not force it! It may not be abnormal that your dog's
hip extension is tight; occasionally, dogs just don't want to do it. To work through this,
have someone offer a treat while you place the hip into extension (to distract the dog
if this limitation is just behavioral). For hip flexion, simply move the stifle up toward the
abdomen/belly. There should be no pain, shaking, or spasm present in the hip region
or limb while range of motion is performed. As in any joint, if the range of motion is
uncomfortable for the dog, please stop and document. Again, always compare left to
right. There should be equal muscle mass and range of motion. Take photos and videos
to document the hip range of motion.
The iliopsoas muscle, a hip flexor, is a common area where tension is noted in both
humans and canines. Many dogs show more stiffness on one side more than the other. To palpate the iliopsoas muscle, gently apply pressure to the flank region, as noted
in Figure 8. An easy way to test for iliopsoas tension is the bounce test. To perform this
test, stand over your dog and place three to four fingers on each side of the flank area.
In a normal dog, without excessive iliopsoas tension, you should be able to easily lift
the hind limbs off the ground. This is done by gently lifting up on the flank area from
both sides at the same time. See Figure 9. Many times, if there is excessive tension in
the iliopsoas, you may feel mild spasm on the side affected during the lift. Document
this finding, if noted.

Clip and Go Folding Contact Trainer
* Competition-style aluminum
frame and rubberized surface
* 12" wide and 6' long
* Folds in half for easier storage
and transportation
* Lay the trainer flat on the
ground, or raise one end 8"
using the built-in legs

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Clean Run - February 2020

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