Relationships between results of the Ortolani method of hip joint palpation and distraction index, Norberg angle, and hip score in dogs
Puerto, D.A.; Smith, G.K.; Gregor, T.P.; LaFond, E.; Conzemius, M.G.; Cabell, L.W.; McKelvie, P.J.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214(4): 497-501
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 10029850 Document Number: 510955
459 clinically healthy dogs were sedated for radiography and palpation of the hip joints. Results of hip joint palpation were classified as negative, mild positive, moderate positive or severe positive. Distraction indices (DI) were measured for all dogs. Norberg angles were measured for 380 dogs for which ventrodorsal hip-extended radiographic projections were available. Hip scores assigned by the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) were available for 95 dogs. Age, weight and sex were not significantly associated with results of hip joint palpation. There was moderate correlation between results of hip joint palpation and DI, low-moderate correlation between results of hip joint palpation and OFA hip scores, and weak negative correlation between results of hip joint palpation and Norberg angle. For joints without degenerative joint disease (DJD), there was a significant linear relationship between results of hip palpation and DI; however, for joints with DJD, there was not. Results of hip joint palpation were 5.3-fold as likely to be negative for dogs with DJD as for dogs without. It is concluded that hip joint palpation should be combined with hip-extended and stress radiography when assessing hip joint quality.