Regional load bearing of the canine acetabulum.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the load bearing areas of the canine acetabulum.


METHODS
A kinematic study of four healthy dogs was used to determine the orientation of the femur to the pelvis at mid-stance. Femora and pelves from 10 canine cadavers were loaded with the physiological canine hip reaction force and angle being replicated. Impression material placed within the acetabulum was extruded from areas of load bearing. Digital images before and after loading were used to assess if six different regions of the acetabulum were fully, partially or non-load bearing.


RESULTS
All areas of the acetabulum were partially or fully load bearing. The cranial and caudal thirds of the acetabulum were 7.9 and 13.1 times more likely to be fully load bearing than the central third, respectively. There was a significant difference in load bearing between the axial, middle and abaxial thirds of the acetabulum in all tests, with the middle and abaxial thirds 72.4 and 351 times more likely to be fully load bearing than the axial third, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The cranial and caudal thirds and the middle and abaxial thirds of the canine acetabulum are fully load bearing.


CONCLUSIONS
The caudal third of the canine acetabulum is loaded and therefore recommendations that fractures in this area be managed conservatively need to be reconsidered.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
Alison L
AL
Moores
Andrew P
AP
Moores
David C
DC
Brodbelt
Martin R
MR
Owen
Edward R C
ER
Draper
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D005270:Femur Head / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*