Hip and Elbow Scoring

Penn Hip

Penn Hip is the most accurate hip screening method available and can identify dogs that are susceptible to hip dysplasia as early as 16 weeks of age. PennHip screening includes three separate radiographs, compared to traditional screening methods which rely solely on 1 view to evaluate both arthritis and laxity.

These 3 views include:

1.     Distraction view (using a patented PennHip distraction device)

2.     Compression view

3.     Hip extended view

A report comprising of the following key parts will be generated following specialised evaluation:

Distraction Index (DI)

The Di is a measure of hip laxity – the inherent distance the ball (femoral head) can be displaced (distracted) from the hip socket which is expressed as a number between 0 and 1.

A DI near zero indicates little joint laxity (very tight hips), and a DI closer to 1.0 indicates a high degree of laxity (very loose hips). Dogs with tighter hips are less likely to develop hip dysplasia than those with looser hips.

What does the DI score mean?

DI <0.3 : There is no risk of hip dysplasia or arthritis. Breeding is recommended. A dog not considered for breeding is unlikely to ever have hip problems (except via accident) or require management.

DI 0.3 -0.7 : There is a mild to moderate risk of hip dysplasia. Any dog with any risk (DI > 0.3) should be carefully considered for breeding. Dogs with this score are at risk of arthritis. Discussion with a veterinarian regarding preventative management is strongly recommended. Dogs under 20 weeks of age are great candidates for a juvenile pubic symphysiodesis procedure to reduced the risk of arthritis.

DI >0.7 : Arthritis is inevitable. The resultant clinical consequence for the individual is difficult to predict. Discussion with a veterinarian regarding preventative management is strongly recommended.

Osteoarthritis Assessment

The report will describe the presence of absence of osteoarthritis. If arthritis is detected, this a confirmation of the presence of hip dysplasia.

For Breeders

Information complied in PennHip’s international database permits informed selection of breeding stock based on hip tightness relative to other members of the same breed. This information can be utilised to reduce the incidence and severity of Canine Hip Dysplasia in future generations of dogs by applying selection pressure towards tighter hips.

PennHip has the highest heritability value. This means it is the best test available for preventing hip dysplasia in genetic lines. Any dog with any risk (DI > 0.3) should be carefully considered for breeding.

Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) Scoring System

Hip Scoring

Open to dogs at least 12 months of age, and is evaluated using a single radiographic view of the pelvis in extension.

There are 9 criteria to be evaluated, with scores between 0-6 allocated for each, except for the caudal acetabular edge which is scored out of 5. The scores for the right and left are added together to give a total score. An individual hip score of 10 will be an indication either of instability.

It is recommended that dogs are only bred with a score lower than the ‘breed average’, which can be found on the ANKC register.

Elbow Scoring

Elbow dysplasia in dogs has multiple inherited aetiologies which may occur singularly or in combination. The aetiologies include:

·       Fragmented medial coronoid of the ulna

·       Osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle

·       Ununited Anconeal process

For a more detailed explanation of these conditions please visit the Elbow Dysplasia information module on our website.

An extreme flexed mediolateral radiographic view of the elbow is used to diagnose secondary degenerative changes.

Explanation of Elbow Grades

There are no grades for a radiographically normal elbow. The only grades involved are for abnormal elbows with radiographic changes associated with secondary joint disease.

·       Grade I Elbow Dysplasia: Minimal bone change along anconeal process of ulna

·       Grade II Elbow Dysplasia: Additional bone proliferation along anconeal process and subchondral bone changes

·       Grade III Elbow Dysplasia: Well developed degenerative joint disease with bone proliferation along anconeal process being greater than 5mm.

For Breeders

Any dogs with a score 1-3 (in one or both elbows) should not be bred.

Booking Procedure

Hip and Elbow scoring is available at both our Northlakes and Stafford hospitals. Heavy sedation is required to produce diagnostic quality radiographs and therefore your dog will need to be fasted from the night before and stay with us over the day. To book a scoring appointment please give one of our friendly reception teams a call on (07) 3359 0777 (Stafford) or (07) 3384 2222 (Northlakes).