PennHIP Certified Joint & Hip Screening in Roseville, CA

If you are a breeder or a dog owner concerned about hip dysplasia, early screening can make a meaningful difference in your dog’s long-term quality of life. PennHIP joint and hip screening in Roseville and the surrounding areas gives you a clear picture of your dog’s hip joint laxity — and the information you need to take action before problems develop. From puppies as young as 16 weeks to adult dogs at risk for degenerative joint conditions, our team is here to help you make informed decisions about your dog’s care.

At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, our board-certified surgeon Dr. Erin Paster brings a level of depth to PennHIP screening that is difficult to find elsewhere. As a PennHIP postdoctoral fellow who ran the PennHIP clinic at the University of Pennsylvania and has performed countless PennHIP evaluations, Dr. Paster brings both academic grounding and hands-on experience to every hip evaluation. As a dog surgery practice in Roseville, we use this screening to detect hip dysplasia risk early — and help you act on it.

Understanding Canine Hip Dysplasia and Hip Joint Laxity

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a common orthopedic condition where the canine hip joint develops abnormally, resulting in hip laxity and poor hip joint congruity. The femoral head (ball) and the pelvic bone socket (acetabulum) fail to fit together properly, leading to excessive joint laxity that can progress to painful degenerative joint disease over time.

Hip joint laxity is the critical component measured in hip evaluation, as it represents the looseness or instability in the canine hip joint. Greater hip laxity increases a dog’s risk of developing osteoarthritis and other issues associated with pet hip dysplasia. Understanding your dog’s hip laxity early allows for proactive management strategies that can improve quality of life and potentially delay or minimize the progression of hip dysplasia.

The PennHIP Method vs. Standard Hip Evaluation

The PennHIP method represents a significant advancement over the standard hip extended view traditionally used in veterinary medicine. While the conventional hip extended view positions the dog with hips stretched backward, this positioning can actually mask hip joint laxity by artificially tightening the joint capsule.

PennHIP testing uses three radiographic views to comprehensively assess the canine hip:

• Hip extended view — similar to the standard positioning, used for comparison
• Compression view — shows the hip in its tightest, most stable position
• Distraction view — reveals the maximum degree of hip joint laxity when stress is applied

The distraction view is the key differentiator in the PennHIP method, as it quantifies actual hip laxity through a distraction index (DI) score. This provides accurate and precise measurements that predict a dog’s risk of developing degenerative joint disease more reliably than standard hip evaluation techniques. According to research from the University of Pennsylvania, a significant portion of dogs judged to be normal by the traditional OFA method may actually be at risk for developing osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia based on the PennHIP method.

Early Detection: PennHIP Testing in Young Dogs

One of the most valuable aspects of PennHIP testing is its accuracy in puppies as young as 16 weeks of age. Early hip evaluation allows intervention during critical growth periods when management strategies can have the greatest impact on your dog’s hips and long-term joint health.

At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, we use PennHIP screening to evaluate hip dysplasia risk in puppies starting at 16 weeks of age. This early assessment allows us to employ techniques and recommendations to delay or prevent future hip problems before they develop into significant clinical conditions. For young dogs at high risk, early detection provides the opportunity to implement weight management, controlled exercise programs, joint supplements, and in some cases, surgical interventions like juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS).

Treatment and Management Options for Hip Dysplasia

When PennHIP testing reveals significant canine hip joint laxity or a high distraction index, several management and treatment options may be considered based on the dog’s age, severity of hip laxity, and clinical symptoms.

Conservative Management

For dogs with mild to moderate hip laxity, conservative management may include:

• Weight management to reduce stress on the hip joint
• Joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin
• Controlled exercise programs to maintain muscle tone without worsening joint laxity
• Anti-inflammatory medications for pain management
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Surgical Interventions

For young dogs with significant hip joint laxity detected early through PennHIP testing, preventive surgical options may include:

Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS) — Performed in puppies as young as 16 to 20 weeks of age, this minimally invasive procedure encourages the pelvic bone to develop in a way that improves hip joint congruity and reduces hip laxity as the dog matures.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO) — For young dogs with hip dysplasia but minimal arthritis, TPO involves cutting and rotating sections of the pelvic bone to better stabilize the femoral head within the hip socket.

Total Hip Replacement — For mature dogs with severe degenerative joint disease and chronic pain, total hip replacement replaces the diseased hip joint with artificial components, often providing excellent pain relief and restored function.

As a board-certified surgeon with advanced training in orthopedic procedures, Dr. Paster can discuss these surgical options and help determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your dog’s specific condition.