Specialty Exams

The orthopedic exam reinforced the isolation of the problem to the hip joint.  The positive Ortalani sign strengthens the reason for luxation of the hip joints and the decrease in range of motion.

The orthopedic exam was further supported by the radiographs.  In the radiographs, we saw several problems.  The most obvious deformity was that both femoral heads were not sitting in the acetabulum correctly.  The acetabulum were flattened as well as the femoral heads, decreasing the concavity of the joint.   Due to these abnormalities the femoral head and acetabulum are not articulating the way they should be and the joint space has increased.  The right hip demonstrates more advanced degeneration than the left hip.  This is evidenced by the osteophyte formation on the edge of the right acetabulum and the increased radio-density of the right femoral neck.  This is supported by the physical exam findings on the initial visit, which showed increased pain on the right side.