PennHIP stands for the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program.
PennHIP is a multifaceted radiographic technology (x-ray) for hip evaluation. The technique assesses the quality of the canine hip and quantitatively measures canine hip joint laxity. The PennHIP method of evaluation is more accurate than the current standard in its ability to predict the onset of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), is the hallmark of canine hip dysplasia (CHD).
PennHIP is more than just a radiographic technique. It is also a network of veterinarians trained to perform the PennHIP methodology properly and, perhaps most importantly, it is a large scientific database that houses the PennHIP data. The radiographs are made by certified PennHIP members worldwide and are sent to the PennHIP analysis center for evaluation. The resulting data is stored in the database, which is continually monitored as it expands. As more information becomes available, the PennHIP laboratory is able to obtain more precise answers to questions about the etiology (cause), prediction and genetic basis of CHD.
The PennHIP laboratory publishes its findings in scientific journals. Published information is disseminated to all PennHIP members; it is also shared with interested breed clubs and routinely appears in publications within the dog fancy.
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To summarize, PennHIP is composed of three major components
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In 1983, Dr.
Gail Smith from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
conceived and developed a new scientific method for the early diagnosis of CHD.
Research conducted in his laboratory proved the diagnostic method to be capable
of estimating the susceptibility for CHD in dogs as young as sixteen weeks of
age. In 1993, Dr. Smith established PennHIP, a cooperative scientific initiative,
to serve as a multi-center clinical trial of the new hip dysplasia diagnostic
technology. The program was successful and quickly grew beyond the capacity
and purpose of a university research laboratory. Initially, the University of
Pennsylvania licensed PennHIP to outside biotech companies in order to make
the technology available for widespread public use and to allow Dr. Smith and
his colleagues to continue their research at the School of Veterinary Medicine.
PennHIP has recently been reacquired by the University of Pennsylvania and is
now a not-for-profit organization.
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The PennHIP method is a different way to assess, measure and interpret hip joint laxity. It consists of three separate radiographs: the distraction view, the compression view and the hip-extended view (see below). The distraction view and compression view, developed by Dr. Smith, are used to obtain accurate and precise measurements of joint laxity and congruity. The hip-extended view is used to obtain supplementary information regarding the existence of DJD in the hip joint.
| Distraction View | Compression View | Hip-extended View |
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| The radiographs above and to the right are of the same dog, yet the hip joint laxities (looseness) in each view look very different. Notice that the hips in the distraction view (top left) appear to be much looser than they do in the hip-extended view (right). On average the distraction view has been shown to reveal 2.5 - 11 times more hip laxity (depending on breed) than the hip-extended view. Also the PennHIP method can measure the laxity of a hip joint with greater precision than the hip-extended method. The degree of hip joint laxity, as measured by the PennHIP method, has been shown to be the most important risk factor in determining whether a dog is prone to developing CHD. | ||
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For more information about the PennHIP method, see the PennHIP method section.