The results are in....

We received Patton's results from his PennHip test from the University of Pennsylvania today. The numbers they came up with a little different then at VMTH, but still confirmed that the surgery was necessary. The ratio on his left hip was 0.81 (lower then what VMTH came up with, 0.92 was their measurement) We are almost positive that they(those doing the measurements) became flustered and flipped Patton's X-rays by accident. The vet doing the surgery was scoping the hip as they were doing the measurements and felt that they had indeed flipped them and continued. His right hip actually came in a little higher then at VMTH, they measured at 0.62 and Penn came up with 0.75.

So what does this all mean. The numbers (0.81 and 0.75) are a Distraction Index(DI) which measures the hip laxity of the joint(its looseness). So according to the PennHip test, there is an increasing risk of developing degenerative joint disease(or Hip Dysplasia) as the DI increases. So in simpler terms, there is a lower risk of degenerative joint disease the closer the DI is to 0.30, and a much higher risk as the number approaches 0.70 and beyond. So, looking at Patton's results, I am sure I will be hearing from VMTH after the new year about his right hip plus I know they wanted to X-ray his left hip to make sure it is healing properly. I believe he is to meet again with the physical therapist at the 4 week mark as well.