Elbow dysplasia: The predictive value of radiographic screening at one year of age

Abstract

Elbow dysplasia is a degenerative joint disease that can cause debilitating osteoarthritis that affects the animal well-being in a negative way. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of radiographical screening according to NZVA standards. 15 dogs that proved dysplastic at one year of age and 15 that proved non-dysplastic were used in this study. The dogs had second elbow radiographs taken between the ages of 2 and 10 years old. The McNemar test comparing radiographs taken at 1 year of age and 2-10 years of age (p=0.7237) proved there was no statistical differences between the groups. A radiograph taken at one year of age has a good predictive value for the dog developing radiographical signs of ED.