The Top 10 Back Leg Lameness Problems In Dogs

Some of the most common issues affecting your dog’s quality of life are back leg lameness problems.

These issues can slow them down, cause pain, and even lead to more serious health concerns if not addressed.

Here we’ll take a closer look at the top 10 hind leg musculoskeletal problems in dogs, so you can recognise the signs early and take action to keep your best mate feeling their best.

1. Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Imagine your dog happily chasing a ball, then suddenly limping back to you in pain.

Or perhaps your mate is suddenly toe-touching in pain and you can’t work out what they did.

These are common scenarios that we see when a dog has cruciate ligament degeneration that has resulted in a cruciate tear.

The most common being the cranial cruciate ligament rupture.

Cruciate ligament injuries are a common injury in both large and small breeds of dog, and has a heritable component.

The cruciate ligament stabilises the stifle joint (knee), and when it tears, it leads to immediate pain, difficulty walking, and over time – arthritis.

Thankfully—this condition is treatable. With the right care, your dog can get back to their playful self.

2. Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia in dogs is a genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly.

In a healthy hip, the ball (femoral head) and socket (acetabulum) fit together snugly, allowing smooth movement.

However, in dogs with hip dysplasia, the joint is loose or misaligned, which causes the bones to rub against each other.

This abnormal friction leads to pain, inflammation, and eventually, arthritis.

The condition has a heritable component and is more common in large breeds like German Shepherds and Labradors, and it often starts to show symptoms as the dog grows.

Early detection and proper management can help reduce discomfort and improve your dog’s quality of life.

You can find out more information about treatment and prevention of hip dysplasia in our article.

Xray showing a dog with normal hips

Xray of a dog with hip dysplasia.

3. Patellar Luxation

A luxating patella in dogs is a condition where the kneecap (patella) slips out of its normal position in the groove of the thigh bone (femur).

This can cause the dog to suddenly lift their leg, skip, or limp, and then return to normal movement once the kneecap pops back into place.

Luxating patella is most common in small breed dogs like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, but it can affect any dog.

The condition can range from mild, with occasional slipping, to severe, where the kneecap is constantly out of place.

Treatment depends on the severity and may include physical therapy muscle exercises or surgery to correct the alignment and stabilize the kneecap.

While it sounds scary, many dogs live normal lives with this condition, especially when it’s caught early and managed properly.

4. Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive neurological condition of the spinal cord that mainly affects older dogs, slowly robbing them of their ability to move their hind legs.

It starts subtly, with a little stumble or dragging of the back paws due to a gradual loss of coordination and muscle strength.

As the disease progresses, it leads to complete paralysis of the hind legs and can eventually affect the front legs as well.

While this disease is progressive, knowing the signs early can help you and your vet create a care plan that keeps your dog as comfortable as possible.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Degenerative Myelopathy, but supportive care, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments can help maintain the dog’s comfort and quality of life for as long as possible.

The condition is most commonly seen in breeds like German Shepherds, Corgis, and Boxers.

5. Arthritis

Arthritis doesn’t just affect people—it’s common in dogs too, especially as they age.

It can also affect younger dogs, especially those with joint injuries or congenital conditions like hip dysplasia.

You might notice your dog slowing down, being less eager to go on walks, limping, having difficulty getting up, reluctance to play or climb stairs, and noticeable stiffness, particularly after rest.

Dog arthritis is a common joint disease where the joints become inflamed and painful due to the gradual breakdown of cartilage, the tissue that cushions the joints.

As the cartilage wears down, the bones in the joint begin to rub against each other, causing joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

While arthritis is a chronic condition, joint health can be managed with proper care, including pain medication, weight management, and joint supplements, to help keep your dog comfortable and active.

Xray of a dog’s stifle showing significant arthritis.

6. Iliopsoas strains

An iliopsoas strain in a dog is an injury to the iliopsoas muscle group, which consists of the iliacus and psoas major muscles. These muscles are located deep within the dog’s lower back and are responsible for flexing the hip and stabilizing the lower back.

An iliopsoas muscle strain typically occurs due to overuse, sudden stretching, or trauma, such as slipping or jumping awkwardly.

Dogs with this strain may show signs of pain, limping, difficulty rising, or reluctance to engage in activities that involve jumping or running.

Treatment usually involves rest, anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief, and physical therapy to help the muscle heal and prevent future injuries.

7. Achilles Tendon Injury

The common calcaneal tendon also known as the achilles tendon, is made up of five muscle bellies – the superficial digital flexor tendon, gastrocnemius, semitendinosus, gracilis and biceps femoris.

An Achilles tendon strain in a dog is an injury to one or more of the tendons that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (calcaneus).

When the tendon is strained, it means the fibres are overstretched or partially torn, which can occur due to trauma, overuse, or a sudden forceful movement.

The Achilles tendon is crucial for walking and running, so when it’s injured, your dog may suddenly find it hard to move showing signs of lameness, difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg, swelling, or a noticeable drop in the heel, causing the dog to walk with a flat-footed stance.

Treatment often involves rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and in severe cases, surgery to repair the damaged tendon.

8. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in dogs is a condition where the discs between the vertebrae in the spine degenerate and herniate.

These discs act as cushions and when they deteriorate, they can bulge or rupture, putting pressure on the spinal cord.

Intervertebral disc herniation can cause pain, nerve damage, hind leg weakness and in severe cases, paralysis.

IVDD is especially common in chondrodystrophic breeds like Dachshunds, often occurring between 3 and 6 years of age.

Signs can range from mild pain and difficulty walking to complete loss of mobility in the legs.

Veterinary treatment depends on the severity and may include rest, pain management, physical therapy, or surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord.

Early detection and treatment can make a big difference, helping your dog stay mobile and comfortable.

MRI of dog spine showing dehydration of disc L7/S1.

9. Fibrotic Myopathy

Fibrotic myopathy in dogs is a condition where the muscle fibres in the hind legs, particularly in the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and gracilis muscles of the hamstring group, become scarred and thickened.

This soft tissue scarring limits the muscles’ ability to stretch and contract normally, leading to a distinctive stiff-legged gait, often described as a “goose-stepping” walk.

The condition typically develops due to repetitive strain, injury, or inflammation of the muscles.

It’s often seen in working dogs like German Shepherds.

While fibrotic myopathy is not usually a painful condition, it does affect the dog’s mobility.

Although there is no cure, physical therapy and stretching exercises can help manage the symptoms and improve the dog’s range of motion.

10. Luxating Hip – coxofemoral luxation

A luxating coxofemoral hip joint in dogs occurs when the head of the femur (the “ball”) slips out of the acetabulum (the “socket”) of the hip joint.

This dislocation can be caused by trauma, such as a fall or accident, or it can be related to an underlying condition like hip dysplasia or legg perthes disease.

When the hip joint luxates, it causes pain, instability, and difficulty walking or bearing weight on the affected leg.

The dog may hold the leg up or limp noticeably.

The treatment plan involves repositioning the joint, sometimes followed by surgery, to prevent it from dislocating again.

You’re Not Alone—We’re Here to Help

At Your Vet Online, we know how important your dog’s health is to you. When you notice signs of discomfort or lameness, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

But remember, you’re not alone.

Our team is here to guide you through understanding and managing your dog’s hind leg lameness issues.

By recognising the early signs and seeking timely care, you can help your dog lead a happy, active life, free from pain.

Whether it’s a simple check-in, a discussion about treatment options, or just some advice on how to keep your dog healthy, we’re here for you every step of the way.