The dog’s pelvic joints – learn how they differ from all other joints

If you’ve ever given your dog therapeutic treatment—whether it was massage, joint adjustments, or something else—you may have heard the pelvis being mentioned.
This article is a bit technical, but I hope you’ll pick up some interesting insights, as many dogs struggle with issues in this area.

The pelvic region consists of the pelvis itself, which has two parts. At the bottom, these are joined by a strong cartilage connection called a symphysis. This area (together with the pelvic joints) can become more elastic during pregnancy due to hormones, making birth possible.

At the upper part of the pelvis sits the sacrum, which in dogs consists of three fused vertebrae and forms part of the spine. On each side, the sacrum has “wings” that form joints with the pelvis on the right and left.

The sacrum itself has very little movement and is anchored firmly to the pelvis with strong ligaments, ensuring it stays stable. In addition, the pelvic area is surrounded by five layers of strong muscles, many of which also help move the hind legs.

What makes the pelvic joints truly unique is that they are not formed by two smooth joint surfaces like most other joints. Normally, joint surfaces are covered in glossy cartilage, allowing them to glide easily against each other. In the pelvic joints, however, only the sacrum’s wings are covered with cartilage, while the pelvic side of the joint is covered only by fibrocartilage—not the typical smooth joint cartilage.

(Illustration: Copyright www.123rf.com/profile_decade3d)

There are many ways to treat pain or dysfunction in the pelvic joints. The most common is joint adjustment, which can address minor imbalances or reduced mobility between joint surfaces. For example, if a dog has uneven leg length behind, it will significantly affect the pelvic joints (and other joints in the hind legs).

Sometimes the issue may be what’s often called a “lock.” Many believe this means a joint is out of position and needs to be “cracked” back into place—but that’s not true. A lock simply means reduced mobility between two joint surfaces. The goal of treatment is to restore normal movement in the joint and normal signaling in the surrounding musculoskeletal system through the nerves.

Veterinarians may use medical treatment if inflammation or other conditions are suspected. Other physical therapies can also be needed to address the surrounding structures, since it’s actually the muscles and soft tissues around the pelvis that provide stability and control during movement. This is why it’s often necessary to treat those structures too, in order to prevent relapse even if the joint itself is adjusted or the inflammation is treated.

Training is also essential. In my 22+ years of working with animals, it’s not uncommon to see dogs with pelvic joint issues also struggling with the L7/S1 joint (between the last lumbar vertebra and the sacrum). These dogs often have uneven muscle development. If, for example, the thigh muscles are significantly stronger on one side than the other, and this imbalance isn’t corrected, joint locks and problems will most likely return.

Unequal strength in the hindquarters prevents the dog from moving symmetrically and with equal power behind. While it’s smart to ensure there are no locks or inflammations before starting rehabilitation, without proper retraining the problems will often come back.

Of course, many factors can affect the pelvis and pelvic joints. And sometimes, just like with other joints suffering from calcification or chronic issues, a dog may never fully regain peak performance despite treatment. Still, it’s good to know that you’ve done your best for your dog.

Signs of pelvic joint problems may include:

• Reduced power in one or both hind legs
• Hind limb lameness
• A stiff back
• Walking with unusually narrow or wide hind leg placement
• Rolling gait in the hindquarters
• Reluctance to exert physically
• Refusal to jump up
• Negative or defensive behavior, etc.

If you suspect problems, it’s important to have your veterinarian evaluate your dog first.

I hope you found this helpful and learned something new!

Have an amazing day!