Ourimbah Veterinary Hospital is now certified to perform PennHIP radiographs. Dr Scott Tweedie has undertaken the training requirements necessary for this procedure, and we recommend PennHIP as the prefered technique for investigation and screening for hip dysplasia. Please read through the following article for more information
The Problem
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
• Is the most commonly inherited orthopedic disease
• Leads to hip arthritis causing pain, stiffness, and diminished quality of life
• Has no medical or surgical cure
• Afflicts more than 50% of the dogs in some breeds
• Clinically affects large breed dogs more severely than smaller breed dogs
THE KEY FACTOR
Hip Laxity
In the 1980’s, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine pioneered a better diagnostic method to assess hip laxity—the key factor in the development of Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD). The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint, with the ball of the femur (femoral head) fitting into the hip socket (acetabulum). Hip laxity refers to the degree of “looseness” of the ball in the hip socket.
Studies have shown that dogs with looser hips (excessive hip laxity) are at higher risk to develop hip dysplasia than dogs with tighter hips (minimal hip laxity).
PennHIP is the most accurate hip screening method.
THE SOLUTION
PennHIP - University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program
The research-based hip-screening procedure known as PennHIP has proven to be the most accurate and precise method to measure hip laxity. It can identify—as early as 16 weeks—dogs that are susceptible to developing hip dysplasia. This offers breeders the opportunity to make early decisions on breeding stock, and allows veterinarians to advise pet owners on lifestyle adjustments and preventative strategies to minimize the pain and progression of the disease.
THE PennHIP PROCEDURE
There are two principal innovations in the PennHIP method. First, the dog is positioned on the x-ray table with hips in a neutral orientation, and second, a custom distraction device is applied to reveal the maximum amount of hip laxity. To achieve this, the dog’s muscles are completely relaxed by administering sedation or general anaesthesia.
Hip-extended Radiograph
The dog’s hind legs are placed in “extension.” PennHIP utilizes the hip-extended view to identify radiographic signs of osteoarthritis.
Compression Radiograph
The dog’s hind legs are positioned in the same neutral position as the distraction radiograph
but the femoral heads (balls of the femur) are gently seated into the acetabula (hip sockets).
This view can identify critical anatomic landmarks of the hip and determine how well the femoral head fits into the acetabulum.
Distraction Radiograph
The dog’s hind legs are positioned in a neutral, weight-bearing orientation and a special device is used to reveal the dog’s inherent joint laxity. This exclusive feature of the PennHIP procedure permits accurate measurement of maximal hip laxity.
Traditional hip screening methods rely solely on the hip-extended view to evaluate both the presence of hip arthritis and joint laxity (subluxation). But, while the hip-extended view can detect existing arthritic changes it often conceals hip laxity thereby giving a false impression of joint tightness. So, in the absence of arthritic changes, the hip-extended view does not reliably distinguish between dogs that are disease-susceptible and those that are not.
Dr Tweedie has completed the indepth training and quality control exercises before becoming certified to perform the PennHIP procedure. A complete PennHIP evaluation includes a consultation, sedation/anesthesia, radiographs using our
digital radiology system and submission of the three PennHIP radiographs to the PennHIP Analysis Center for evaluation.
Please
contact us and we will be happy to discuss the procedure and cost with you.