hip displacia

Question
About two weeks ago our Min Pin Jumanji experienced a hip problem jumping off the couch, almost like his leg popped out of joint. After massaging the innner and outer areas of his leg he favored it momentarily but seemed to resume normal activities soon after.He has had other incidents since then. We had our vet look at him and he gave him some pain medicine, to use as needed and a cortisone shot in his hip. I'm worried about hip displacia. Could you please explain what it is and what our options are for treatment.I'm not saying that he was diagnosed with displacia but I want to learn more about it just in case. The vet said to keep him under strict confinement and we'd do xrays in a few weeks if he's not better but that's like telling Santa Clause not to give out presents on Christmas Eve. I should also tell you that Jumanji is on Phenobarbitol twice a day for seizures but has been seizure free for months, Thank God! Thank You for your help!

Answer
Hi there!  Hip displaysia can be caused by trauma.  When Jumanji's hip came out of place when he jumped off the couch, the ligaments and tendons were stretched.  Everytime this happens, (the hip popping out of joint) the ligaments and tendons stretch even further, which makes it more difficult each time for the hip to stay into place.  Right now, your veterinarian is helping him deal with the pain with medication, and wants him to stay inactive, as his hip is in place, and keeping it from popping out again will help the tendons and ligaments become strong again.  The x-ray in a few weeks will determine if this has worked, or if surgical intervention will be needed.  In surgery, they can either do a total hip replacement, or just bolt the hip into the joint where it will stay.  There really is no other treatment for this, and the more the ligaments and tendons stretch, the more often that hip will go out of joint, until it won't be able to stay in joint at all.  If you find that it is very difficult to keep him calm, I would talk to you veterinarian about splinting the hip for you and immobilizing the leg, therefore, Jumanji will be unable to use it and the proper healing can take place.
I wish I could be of more help, and please keep me posted!
Sending Jumanji many get well kisses,
Hilary