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Cruciate ligament injury is a condition in which diagonally crossed ligaments in the rear leg are injured and must be corrected surgically. This condition is painful to the dog.

Elbow dysplasia, also known as osteochondrosis, is often found in young growing dogs. It is genetic. Dogs allowed to exercise in excess are often at risk for this condition. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has implemented a screening procedure in which dogs’ elbows are x-rayed and the x-rays are examined and evaluated. Abnormal elbows are graded based on the severity of the dysplasia, while normal elbows of dogs 24 months old and older receive OFA certification. This scheme is designed to help identify dysplastic dogs and to help breeders eliminate affected dogs from their breeding programs.

Hip dysplasia is similar to elbow dysplasia; it is a genetically acquired problem of the hips in which the head of the femur does not fit correctly into the hip joint. The OFA also has a screening program for hips, in which hip x-rays of dogs at least 24 months old are evaluated and graded in one of seven categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severe. Only hips graded Fair or better are given OFA numbers. Again, this screening process identifies dysplastic dogs to help breeders to select healthy breeding stock free of genetic defects.

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a disorder of the hip joint, often seen in young small-breed dogs, which causes lameness and pain in one leg. Surgical removal of the femoral head is the usual treatment.

Kneecap dislocation or medial patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of place and rests on the inside of the knee. This condition is mostly seen in small dogs. Therapy may help, but surgery is more frequently used to relieve the problem. It is most probably genetic in origin.