Orthopedic diseases including hip and elbow dysplasia affect millions of dogs. Early detection enables management that significantly improves lifetime welfare outcomes.
Orthopedic disease causes progressive chronic pain that impairs mobility, enjoyment of exercise, and quality of life throughout affected dogs' lives. Early detection through screening radiographs in young dogs, before severe secondary arthritis develops, enables interventions that significantly alter disease trajectory. Weight management — maintaining lean body condition — dramatically slows joint damage progression and reduces pain regardless of other treatment. Pain management with NSAIDs, joint supplements, and where appropriate surgical correction maintains comfort and mobility. Genetic screening of breeding stock reduces prevalence over time, addressing the condition at population level. Dogs living comfortably with well-managed orthopedic disease are a success story of veterinary welfare medicine.