Table 3.
Reported use and apparent contributions to OA diagnosis of the various aspects of the veterinary clinical evaluation
| Aspect of evaluation | Cases assessed | Abnormal finding(s) | Cases affected | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical examinationa | 50 (100%) | All | 26 (52%) | |
| Observable | Limping/stiffness | 5 (10%) | ||
| Postural abnormality | 3 (6%) | |||
| Palpable | Pain upon palpation | 9 (18%) | ||
| Palpable changes other than pain | 10 (20%) | |||
| Joint swelling | 6 (12%) | |||
| Joint laxity | 4 (8%) | |||
| Crepitus | 3 (6%) | |||
| Muscle atrophy | 2 (4%) | |||
| Decreased range of motion | 1 (2%) | |||
| Unspecified | 6 (12%) | |||
| Owner report | 50 (100%) | Suspicious for OA | History | 47 (94%) |
| Supporting diagnosis | Treatment response | 12 (24%) | ||
| Radiographs | 22 (44%) | Change(s) compatible with OA | 22 (44%) |
Results are presented as number (percent of cases diagnosed).
a
Details of how the physical examination was conducted were not collected from veterinarians. It is therefore not known whether all aspects of the orthopedic examination (e.g., gait/posture evaluation, joint palpation and manipulation) were performed in all cases.