Knee Injuries

There are several ways to assess knee injuries. Here, we provide 2 scoring systems that are commonly used in the dairy industry. You can choose a system that fits your interests and test your repeatability using the associated scoring system.

Dairy Well: knee injury scoring

Score and count only the WORST knee of every cow. ​

Which animals to assess:
  • Lactating cows
  • Dry cows

The number of animals assessed is determined by the sample size calculator using the total number of animals on the farm.

When to assess:
  • Score the worst knee while scoring hocks
  • Score at any time
Goal:

<5% of cows should score a 3 when hock and knee scores are combined (the most severe score becomes the overall score).

The tests on this website score knees and hocks separately for more practice.

Score 1 - Normal

  • Minimal complete hair loss
    • < 1" in length or width
    • < 25 mm
    • < size of a quarter
  • No swelling or mild (≤ 10mm in height) swelling
    • Approximately the width of a dime

Score 2 - Moderate

  • Hair loss > 25mm (1") in length or width
    • Approximately the size of a quarter
  • No open wounds/abrasions (ulceration, blood, serous discharge, or scab)
  • May be moderate swelling (11mm - 25mm in height)

Score 3 - Severe

  • Wounds or abrasions as evidenced by any ulceration, blood, serous discharge, or scab; can be superficial, partial, or full thickness
  • OR: Swelling > 25mm (1") in height

Take Repeatability Test

National Dairy Farm Program: knee injury scoring

Score and count only the WORST knee of every cow.

Which animals to assess:
  • Lactating cows
  • Dry cows

The number of animals assessed is determined by the sample size calculator using the total number of animals on the farm.

When to assess:
  • Score the worst knee while scoring hocks
  • Score at any time
Goal:

<5% of cows should score a 3 when hock and knee scores are combined (the most severe score becomes the overall score).

The tests on this website score knees and hocks separately for more practice.

Score 1

  • Hair loss on front knees less than the size of a quarter

Score 2

  • Hair loss is greater than the size of a quarter

Score 3

  • Visible swelling and/or abrasion through the hide