Palazzo Trecchi, 26100 Cremona, Italy

SLOCUM TYPE VETERINARY

GONIOMETER

Canine Hip
Dysplasia
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a
progressive disease, which
develops during postnatal skeletal
growth. A definitive diagnosis can
be made radiographically when
secondary signs of osteoarthritis
due to joint incongruity become
evident. At this point it is too late
to prevent osteoarthritis. However,
if joint incongruity is diagnosed
before the start of degenerative
joint changes, osteoarthritis can
be prevented. The development
of hip dysplasia can be diagnosed
during the growth period; the
more severe the hip dysplasia, the
earlier the diagnosis can be made
based on the early clinical and
radiographic signs of the disease.
Early Diagnosis
Predictive clinical and
radiographic signs are related to
joint morphology and congruity
and to the detection and
measurement of passive joint
laxity (Barlow’s and Ortolani’s
Tests, subluxation and distraction
index) and of the slope and shape
of the dorsal acetabular rim.
The instrument
This instruments is intended to measure the angles of reduction and
of subluxation to evaluate the amplitude of the Barlow’s and
Ortolani’s Tests in dogs affected by Hip Dysplasia. Since the original
Slocum’s Electronic Goniometer is no more available, FSA in
collaboration with Innovet produced this new device with the same
function."
Its function is realized by means of an internal digital inclinometer,
acquiring the angle of inclination, and a microprocessor interfacing
with display and the power management of device. A 9Vcc battery
is used to ensure the portability of device."
!
Barlow’s and Ortolani’s Tests!
With the dog under general anesthesia, it is possible to evaluate
stability of the head of the femur in the acetabulum, joint laxity, and
the grade of subluxation when detected by hip palpation. Barlow
and Ortolani tests are carried out to measure the angles of
subluxation and reduction. Puppies are positioned in dorsal
recumbency with the chest in a trough and keeping the pelvis in a
horizontal position; in evaluating each hip, the femur on the side
being examined is kept vertical, while the other is held in extension.
With one hand, delicate pressure is applied on the knee kept
vertically and the other hand kept the contralateral limb fixed to the
examining table in order to avoid movement of the pelvis. Light
pressure along the femoral axis towards the coxofemoral joint
simulates hip loading in a neutral position. Performing this

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 Palazzo Trecchi, 26100 Cremona, Italy

procedure, the normal coxofemoral joint remains reduced; but if

excessive joint laxity is present after capsular distension, the femoral
head subluxates above the dorsal acetabular rim sliding along the
cartilaginous lip, giving a positive Barlow test. Next, keeping
constant and slight axial pressure towards the acetabulum, the limb
is slowly abducted. In patients with a subluxated coxo-femoral joint
it is possible to feel the presence of "sliding" or" clunk" as the
femoral head reduces into the acetabulum leading to a positive
Ortolani test. During subluxation, palpation allows the evaluation of
the integrity of the dorsal acetabular margin or its erosion giving a
crispy or cracking sensation. The inclination of the femur relative to
the sagittal plane at the moment of reduction of the femoral head
during abduction is measured with the Slocum Type veterinary
Goniometer. This is the angle of reduction (AR). "

!
Measurements and
meaning of the Angles
of Reduction and of Slocum 1998
Subluxation
The inclination of the femur measured at the moment of
The Barlow’s and Ortolani’s tests subluxation while the femur is adducted is recorded as the angle of
provide a qualitative measurement, subluxation (AS).
while measurement of the angle of
reduction and subluxation,
respectively, corresponded to a
quantitative assessment of the grade
of capsular distension (AR) and a
direct measure of the functional
inclination of the acetabular margin
(AS). For measurement of the angles
with the electronic instrument, the
probe is placed caudally to the
insertion of the pectineus muscle on
the ileo-pectineal eminence of the
pubic bone, resting the instrument
on the medial aspect of the knee. Slocum 1998
The grade of inclination with
respect to the vertical plane is then
read on the display of the
instrument."

Edited by Aldo Vezzoni, !

Med. Vet, Dipl. ECVS!

September 2014!

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Slocum 1998