Evaluate Risk of Canine Hip Dysplasia as early as 16 weeks with PennHIP Procedure

First, Understanding the Severity of Canine Hip Dysplasia in the United States:

As veterinarians, one of the most critical aspects of ensuring a dog’s long-term health is monitoring their joint health, especially when it comes to the hips.

Hip dysplasia is a common heritable orthopedic condition in dogs. In just the United States, dogs with hip dysplasia lands conservatively in the millions, costing pet parents in the hundreds of millions per year to manage.

While there have been many efforts to curb the amount of pets with hip dysplasia through selective breeding, there have not been clinically meaningful changes in the pet population for those suffering from hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia can lead to severe discomfort and even arthritis as they age. Unfortunately, no cure exists, only early intervention and preventative care.

A reliable and accurate method of evaluating hip joint health is crucial for early intervention. While we have tools like the hip extended view radiograph to see evidence of hip dysplasia, it fell short for pet parents and researchers (more on this later).

Enter the PennHIP procedure, a highly advanced diagnostic tool that has transformed how veterinarians assess hip health in dogs, that we now offer right here at Alicia Pet Care Center.

What is the PennHIP Procedure?

The PennHIP (Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program) procedure is an advanced radiographic method used to evaluate the hip joint's laxity—a key indicator of potential hip dysplasia.

PennHIP was developed in the 1980s under Dr. Gail Smith at the University of Pennsylvania and received its first patent in 1993. Now, using the Distraction Index he developed, is regarded as the superior way to measure hip laxity and subsequently, estimate the risk factor of patients developing osteoarthritis of canine hip dysplasia.

Unlike traditional methods, such as the hip extended view, which primarily looks at the bone structure of the hip, PennHIP assesses the degree of joint looseness or laxity, a much more direct predictor of hip dysplasia development.

This is a one time procedure for screening and can be done as early as 16 weeks. (In contrast, the hip extended view is not read for hip dysplasia until 2 years of age in the United States, missing early prevention measures.)

The procedure involves three different X-ray views to evaluate the hips:

extension view
compression view
distraction view

The primary goal of PennHIP is to measure how far the femoral head (the ball of the hip joint) can be displaced from the acetabulum (the socket), a process known as distraction index (DI). You can see that separation in the distraction view above.

This is the distractor, used in the distraction view, to put traction on the hips in order to evaluate the laxity. It is the reason we can quantifiably assess a patient's risk for osteoarthritis of hip dysplasia.

*Process of the distraction view from PennHIP training manual.*

How Does PennHIP Differ from the Standard Hip Extended View?

Traditional hip radiographs typically rely on the hip extended view, where the dog is positioned on its back with both hind legs extended straight down.

This standard method looks at the shape and alignment of the hip joint to diagnose hip dysplasia.

While this view is widely used and offers some insight into the hip joint's structure, it has several limitations:

Bone-centric evaluation: The extended view focuses on the alignment of bones in the hip joint, providing limited information about the health of the soft tissues that actually allow the joint to move.
Limited predictive value: Although bone abnormalities can be visible in some dogs with hip dysplasia, dogs can show little to no bone changes in the early stages of joint laxity, which may lead to undiagnosed conditions.
Higher subjectivity: The interpretation of hip radiographs can sometimes be subjective, as it relies on the radiologist's ability to judge the degree of hip abnormality.

In contrast, PennHIP does not solely depend on bone structure. By measuring the distraction index, it provides an objective quantification of joint laxity, offering a more comprehensive understanding of hip health.

Essentially, PennHIP can identify problems before bone changes are evident, allowing veterinarians to catch hip dysplasia early, potentially preventing long-term damage.

Veterinarians who do the PennHIP procedure are also trained and must pass rigorous testing to ensure their radiographs are accurate and correctly positioned for the radiologist.

More Advantages of PennHIP:

Early Detection: The biggest advantage of the PennHIP procedure is its ability to detect hip problems early, often before significant bone changes occur. This early detection allows veterinarians and pet owners to take preventative measures or choose the best management options before pain or arthritis set in. This procedure can be done as early as 16 weeks old.
More Accurate Risk Assessment: PennHIP quantifies joint laxity using a distraction index, which provides an objective measurement of a dog's risk for developing hip dysplasia. This means that dogs with a high DI value are at greater risk, while dogs with a low DI value are less likely to develop problems, even if there are minor structural abnormalities visible on a standard radiograph.
More Predictive for Breeding: Because the PennHIP procedure measures joint laxity rather than relying on visual bone changes, it offers breeders a better tool for determining the likelihood of offspring developing hip dysplasia. Breeding decisions can be made based on precise, quantifiable data that will ultimately improve the health of future generations of dogs.
Non-invasive and Safe: The PennHIP procedure is minimally invasive, and while it requires more X-ray views than the standard hip extended view, it’s still considered very safe for dogs. The good news is, this procedure is generally very short, usually under 20 minutes.
Better for All Breeds: The PennHIP method is especially useful for breeds at higher risk for hip dysplasia, such as large-breed dogs, but it can be performed on dogs of any size. The distraction index is compared to a large database of breed specific statistics.

Next Steps

If your pet is found to have early signs of hip dysplasia through the PennHIP procedure, your veterinarian will discuss crucial preventative care, including options like:

Weight Management
High level joint supplements
Physical therapy
Early pain monitoring and intervention
Surgical intervention like juvenile pubic symphysiodesis or total hip replacement

Conclusion

The PennHIP procedure represents a significant advancement in the evaluation of hip joint health in dogs and we are excited to now be offering this at Alicia Pet Care Center.

By focusing on joint laxity, it provides a much clearer, more reliable prediction of future hip issues compared to traditional methods.

As a result, PennHIP is becoming the gold standard for diagnosing hip dysplasia in dogs, enabling veterinary professionals to make more informed decisions that can lead to better long-term outcomes for dogs of all breeds.

Whether you're a concerned pet owner or a breeder, understanding the advantages of PennHIP can be a valuable step toward ensuring your dog's orthopedic health and comfort in the years to come.

If you'd like to book an appointment or are interested in learning more, you can call us at 949-768-1313. At this time, this service is offered by Dr. Coffey here at Alicia Pet Care Center! We are located in Mission Viejo, CA and we are seeing new patients.