Emerging Technologies in Canine Osteoarthritis Imaging: What Lies Ahead?

Accurate assessment of canine osteoarthritis (OA) depends not only on identifying structural joint changes but also on recognizing disease before irreversible damage becomes established. While radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remain the mainstay of joint evaluation, newer imaging technologies are expanding the ability to investigate biological activity, tissue composition, and early pathological changes that are not readily detected with conventional imaging¹. Although many of these techniques are not yet part of routine clinical practice, they provide valuable insight into the future direction of OA diagnosis and monitoring. 

For practicing veterinarians, understanding the potential of these emerging modalities helps place current diagnostic approaches into perspective while highlighting developments that may influence future clinical practice. 

Nuclear Medicine and Functional Imaging 

Unlike conventional imaging techniques that primarily evaluate structural changes, nuclear medicine focuses on physiological activity within tissues. By using radiopharmaceutical tracers, these techniques provide information about metabolic processes occurring within the joint before obvious structural abnormalities become evident^2,3,4,5. 

Scintigraphy has demonstrated the ability to detect areas of increased bone turnover associated with osteoarthritic change. This functional information may complement anatomical imaging by identifying regions of active disease, particularly in patients where structural findings alone may not fully explain the clinical presentation. 

Positron emission tomography (PET) represents another functional imaging modality capable of assessing metabolic activity within affected tissues. Rather than evaluating only bone morphology, PET offers insight into biological processes involved in OA progression, supporting a more comprehensive understanding of joint pathology¹. 

Thermography: Assessing Surface Temperature Changes 

Infrared thermography offers a completely different approach by evaluating surface temperature patterns over joints and surrounding tissues. Since inflammatory processes may influence local heat production, thermography has been explored as a non-invasive method for identifying abnormal thermal patterns associated with musculoskeletal disease^1,6,7. 

The technique is rapid and does not require ionizing radiation. However, interpretation can be influenced by several external factors, including environmental conditions and patient-related variables. For this reason, thermographic findings should be interpreted cautiously and alongside clinical examination and other diagnostic investigations rather than in isolation. 

Advanced MRI Techniques 

Conventional MRI provides detailed anatomical assessment of joint structures, while newer MRI techniques aim to evaluate tissue composition before obvious structural damage develops. 

Compositional MRI techniques assess characteristics such as cartilage water content and collagen organization, allowing evaluation of biochemical changes within cartilage that may precede gross morphological abnormalities. These approaches offer the possibility of detecting early tissue degeneration and monitoring subtle changes over time, expanding the role of MRI beyond structural imaging alone^1,8,9,10. 

Although these techniques are currently used primarily in advanced imaging settings, they demonstrate how imaging is moving toward identifying disease at an earlier stage. 

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of OA Imaging 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as another area of interest in veterinary imaging. Machine learning algorithms have the potential to assist with image interpretation, improve detection of subtle abnormalities, and enhance consistency in image analysis¹. 

Rather than replacing clinical expertise, AI may serve as a decision-support tool by helping veterinarians identify imaging features that could otherwise be overlooked. As these technologies continue to evolve, they may contribute to more standardized image assessment and improved monitoring of disease progression. 

Practical Clinical Insights 

While these emerging technologies are not yet routine diagnostic tools for canine OA, they highlight important developments that may influence future veterinary practice. 

Key points for clinicians include: 

• Functional imaging provides information beyond structural joint changes. 

• Thermography may complement, but should not replace, established diagnostic methods. 

• Compositional MRI offers insight into early cartilage alterations before overt structural damage. 

• AI has the potential to support image interpretation while complementing clinical judgement. 

As these technologies continue to develop, their integration into veterinary practice will depend on clinical applicability, accessibility, and demonstrated value in patient care. 

Take-Home Message 

The future of canine OA imaging is moving beyond the identification of established structural abnormalities toward earlier detection of biological and biochemical changes within the joint. Functional imaging, thermography, advanced MRI techniques, and artificial intelligence each contribute unique perspectives that complement conventional imaging approaches. Although many of these technologies are still evolving, they represent important advances in the ongoing effort to improve the diagnosis, assessment, and long-term management of canine osteoarthritis. 

References 

1. Tivers MS, Mahoney P, Corr SA. Canine stifle positive contrast computed tomography arthrography for assessment of caudal horn meniscal injury: a cadaver study. Veterinary surgery. 2008 Apr;37(3):269-77. https://www.academia.edu/download/85521729/j.1532-950x.2008.00376.x20220505-1-1kw2jib.pdf 

2. Kanthavichit K, Klaengkaew A, Srisowanna N, Chaivoravitsakul N, Horoongruang K, Thanaboonnipat C, Soontornvipart K, Choisunirachon N. Evaluation of vacuum phenomenon in dogs with coxofemoral degenerative joint disease using computed tomography. BMC veterinary research. 2020 Aug 6;16(1):274. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12917-020-02485-2.pdf 

3. Carnevale M, Jones J, Holásková I, Sponenberg DP. CT and gross pathology are comparable methods for detecting some degenerative sacroiliac joint lesions in dogs. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound. 2019 Jul;60(4):378-89. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6606336/pdf/nihms-1030089.pdf 

4. D'Amico LL, Xie L, Abell LK, Brown KT, Lopez MJ. Relationships of hip joint volume ratios with degrees of joint laxity and degenerative disease from youth to maturity in a canine population predisposed to hip joint osteoarthritis. American journal of veterinary research. 2011 Mar 1;72(3):376-83. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3711502/pdf/nihms483699.pdf 

5. Andronescu AA, Kelly L, Kearney MT, Lopez MJ. Associations between early radiographic and computed tomographic measures and canine hip joint osteoarthritis at maturity. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 2015 Jan 1;76(1):19-27. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12918709/ 

6. Jones GM, Pitsillides AA, Meeson RL. Moving beyond the limits of detection: the past, the present, and the future of diagnostic imaging in canine osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2022 Mar 15;9:789898. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.789898/pdf 

7. Vanden Berg-Foels WS, Schwager SJ, Todhunter RJ, Reeves AP. Femoral head bone mineral density patterns may identify hips at risk of degeneration. Annals of biomedical engineering. 2011 Jan;39(1):75-84. https://www.academia.edu/download/52314273/s10439-010-0150-z20170326-9619-rikyr9.pdf 

8. Eivers CR, Corzo‐Menéndez N, Austwick SH, Thomson DG, Gibson SM, Handel I, Schwarz T. Computed tomographic arthrography is a useful adjunct to survey computed tomography and arthroscopic evaluation of the canine shoulder joint. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound. 2018 Sep;59(5):535-44. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/vru.12670 

9. De Rycke LM, Gielen IM, Dingemanse W, Kromhout K, van Bree H. Computed tomographic and low‐field magnetic resonance arthrography: a comparison of techniques for observing intra‐articular structures of the normal canine shoulder. Veterinary Surgery. 2015 Aug;44(6):704-12. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lieve-De-Rycke/publication/272075728 

10. Reis Silva H, Uosyte R, Clements DN, Bergkvist GT, Schwarz T. Computed tomography and positive contrast computed tomographic arthrography of the canine shoulder: normal anatomy and effects of limb position on visibility of soft tissue structures. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound. 2013 Sep;54(5):470-7. https://www.academia.edu/download/95498761/vru.1205420221209-1-1a9x8yh.pdf