THE HIP JOINT

Because of its deep situation, the available landmarks are at some distance from this joint. Depending on the size of the pig, the greater trochanter is located from 2 to 4 cm ventral to the line joining the coxal with the lateral part of the ischial tuber. The needle is inserted at the same distance cranial to the trochanter and passed, at right angles to the skin, through the gluteal muscles to enter the dorsal part of the joint. The greater resistance offered by the fibrous tissue of the deep gluteal muscle and the joint capsule warns that the cavity is close.