Figure 1.

Laxity due to hip dysplasia is confirmed based on clinical examination (A-D) and is counteracted by implantation of the 3D-printed shelf implant (E). (A) The limb is in neutral flexion and in an adducted position, and force is applied toward the dorsum of the dog along the femoral axis (red arrows). (B) This force causes dorsal subluxation in a hip with joint laxity due to hip dysplasia. (C) During the Ortolani (reduction) test, the limb is slowly abducted (blue arrow) while force on the femur (red arrows) is maintained. (D) A positive Ortolani sign is evident when a click is heard or palpated as the subluxated femoral head reduces into the acetabulum (green arrows)¹⁷. (E) Introduction of the shelf implant ideally stabilizes the joint by reinforcing the hip capsule and labrum as a weight bearing and stabilizing surface (purple arrows). In close-up the internal 2 mm offset of the implant is visible that allows the capsule attachment to remain unaffected (F).