Repeatability of dorsolateral subluxation scores in dogs and correlation with macroscopic appearance of hip osteoarthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether dorsolateral subluxation (DLS) scores in young dogs could be used to reliably predict which dogs would develop evidence of hip osteoarthritis and whether DLS scores measured at various ages correlated with each other.


METHODS
129 Labrador Retrievers, Greyhounds, and Labrador Retriever-Greyhound crossbreds.


METHODS
DLS scores were measured on radiographs taken at 4, 8, and 12 months of age and at necropsy (8 to 36 months of age). At necropsy, the hip joints were examined macroscopically and a score assigned for degree of cartilage degeneration.


RESULTS
DLS scores at 4 (n = 35, r(s) = -0.62), 8 (n = 106, r(s) = -0.54), and 12 (n = 15, r(s) = -0.87) months of age were significantly correlated with cartilage degeneration scores, and DLS scores at 8 months of age were significantly correlated with scores obtained at the time of necropsy (n = 39, r(s) = 0.87). The DLS scores at 4 months of age were significantly different from scores at 8 months of age, but scores did not differ significantly thereafter. Likelihood ratios for cartilage lesions for low (< 45%), intermediate (> or = 45 but < or = 55%), and high (> 55%) DLS scores at 8 months of age were 8.0, 2.6, and 0.2, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that DLS score at 8 months of age was a reasonable, albeit imperfect, predictor of the condition of the hip joint cartilage at necropsy. Thus, the DLS method might be useful for early identification of dogs with hip dysplasia.
Lust
G
G
James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Todhunter
R J
RJ
Erb
H N
HN
Dykes
N L
NL
Williams
A J
AJ
Burton-Wurster
N I
NI
Farese
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric