Relationships between results of the Ortolani method of hip joint palpation and distraction index, Norberg angle, and hip score in dogs

Objective-To determine whether results of the Ortolani method of hip joint palpation in dogs were related to distraction index (DI), Norberg angle, or radiographic hip score. Design-Cross-sectional study. Animals-459 clinically normal dogs. Procedure-Dogs were sedated for radiography and palpation of the hip joints . Results of hip join? palpation were classified as negative, mild positive , moderate positive, or severe positive. Distraction indices were measured for all dogs. Norberg angles were measured for 380 dogs for which ventrodor sal hip-extended radiographic projections were available. Hip scores assign ed by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) were available for 95 dog s. Results-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 (r = 0.636), low-moderate correlation between re sults of hip joint palpation and OFA hip scores (r(s) = 0.437), and weak ne gative correlation (r = -0.236) between results of hip joint palpation and Norberg angle. For joints without degenerative joint disease (DJD), there w as a significant linear relationship between results of hip palpation and D I; however, for joints with DJD, there was not. Results of hip joint palpat ion were 5.3-fold as likely to be negative for dogs with DJD as for dogs wi thout. Clinical implications-Results of hip joint palpation were at best moderatel y correlated with radiographic measures of hip joint laxity. Therefore, hip joint palpation should be combined with hip-extended and stress radiograph y when assessing hip joint quality.