The Use of a Needle Arthroscopy for the Diagnosis of Shoulder- and Elbow-Related Lameness in Canine Patients

Introduction: Needle arthroscopy (NA) is a new diagnostic tool for human and veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study is to report initial experience of the use of NA for the evaluation of elbow and shoulder joints in affected dogs under sedation.

Materials and Methods: Canine patients presenting for shoulder- or elbow-related lameness were sedated with intravenous 5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine and 0.1 mg/kg hydromorphone for NA evaluation. The positioning, skin preparation, scope and egress sites for NA were similar to previously reported for traditional arthroscopy (TA). Findings, complications and time needed for both NA and TA (if performed) were recorded.

Results: Twelve elbow joints in seven dogs were evaluated. The median time (range) for TA was 9 minutes (3–15), and NA was 10 minutes (4–23). Additional sedation was necessary for three dogs. Medial coronoid and humeral kissing lesion could be identified in all joints. Complications included ulnar cartilage damage in four joints and periarticular oedema in three joints.

Six shoulder joints in five dogs were evaluated. The medial, cranial and caudal compartment could be visualized in all joints. The median time (range) for NA was 12 minutes (10–23), and TA was 18 minutes (n = 3, 14–25). Humeral OCD was diagnosed in one joint, subscapularis muscle tear was diagnosed in four joints. Inadvertent penetration of medial glenohumeral ligament occurred in one joint.

Discussion/Conclusion: With proper training, NA can be performed under sedation and as an outpatient procedure to evaluate canine shoulder and elbow joints.

Acknowledgement: Partly funded by the Center for Companion Animal Health at UC Davis.