OFA Radiographs

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screens dogs for hip and elbow dysplasia to maintain breeding standards and guide treatment. OFA screening consists of radiographs taken under sedation which are submitted to board-certified radiologists for evaluation.

For hips, the radiologist looks for signs of degenerative joint disease and assigns a hip grade based on joint conformity, subluxation, and arthritic changes. Common hip grades are Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, and Severe.

Elbow radiographs are graded as Normal, Grade I (mild), Grade II (moderate), or Grade III (severe) dysplasia. Dogs receiving Normal hip and elbow ratings can obtain an OFA number and CHIC certification.

OFA prelims allow screening of dogs under 2 years old to decide if breeding or treatment is warranted before joints fully mature. While very useful, OFA has limitations in quantifying subtle joint laxity, especially in puppies. We may recommend combining it with PennHIP for optimal hip evaluation.

The OFA database provides important breed health statistics that guide outbreeding programs. Submitting results also helps identify inherited traits and factors influencing dysplasia. Discuss OFA testing your pup and the latest treatment options.

OFA Radiographs FAQs

  • OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) radiographs are specific x-ray views used to screen dogs for hip and elbow dysplasia. They are submitted to OFA for evaluation by board-certified radiologists.

  • OFA screening helps breeders make informed selections to reduce hip/elbow dysplasia over generations. A dog must reach 24 months old for official OFA hip/elbow certification.

  • OFA hip screening requires an extended-leg ventrodorsal pelvic view to visualize the femoral head/acetabulum, and a hip-extended frog-leg lateral view. Proper positioning is crucial.

  • OFA elbow screening requires flexed lateral views of each elbow joint to visualize for incongruity, arthritis, and osteophytes.

  • OFA radiologists grade hip joints as Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate, or Severe radiographic evidence of dysplasia. Elbows receive a Pass or Fail grade based on presence of arthritic changes.

  • OFA screens provide valuable information on your pet’s joint status to guide treatment, conditioning, rehabilitation, and can indicate genetic predisposition.