Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle as the cause of lameness in dogs^[*]

Summary

In a retrospective and prospective trial over six years, 17 joints from 13 dogs presented with incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) were included. All dogs showed lameness of the forelimb but no humeral condylar fractures. One dog showed a fracture of the olecranon. Four of the bilaterally affected dogs showed only unilateral lameness. 53.8% of the dogs (7/13) were younger than one year. With regard to breed distribution, the German Wachtel was most frequently represented with three dogs. In 12 dogs the diagnosis was made by radiography in a craniocaudal view, and seven dogs could be further investigated by computed tomography. In one dog the diagnosis was only made during arthroscopy. Two joints showed an additional fragmented medial coronoid process of the ulna and another two an osteochondrosis dissecans of the medial humeral condyle. During arthroscopy, all joints showed a clearly visible fissure line in the joint cartilage between the humeral condyles. In ten joints the I0HC was treated with a transcondylar lag screw under arthroscopic control. Three of the four bilaterally affected dogs were treated only unilaterally because of a lack of lameness on the other side. In the dog with the olecranon fracture, only the fracture was treated. The patients were rechecked clinically and radiologically (n = 10) or by means of a questionnaire (n = 1) at an average of 26 months post operation. Seven cases, six of them treated by lag screw fixation, did not show any lameness. Three joints (one dog with olecranon fracture, two unilaterally affected dogs with lag screw fixation) showed some degree of lameness after heavy strain and one dog showed a continuous slight lameness. The four bilaterally affected and only unilaterally treated dogs showed no lameness on the untreated joint. With regard to development of arthrosis, six radiographically examined joints showed no increase in arthroses. In five joints the increase was mild and in two joints moderate. In six joints with lag screw fixation, the IOHC was radiographically unified and was confirmed by computed tomography in three cases.

Keywords

Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle - IOHC - dog - occurrence - treatment - results

• References

• 1 Berzon JL, Quick CB. Fragmented coronoid process: anatomical, clinical and radiographic considerations with case analysis. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1980; 16: 241-51.
• 2 Brüse S. Frakturen bei heranwachsenden Tieren. In: Bonath KH, Prieur WD. (ed), Kleintierkrankheiten Band 3 Orthopädische Chirurgie und Traumatologie. Stuttgart: Ulmer; 1998: 632-47.
• 3 Butterworth SJ, Innes JF. Incomplete humeral condylar fractures in the dog. J Small Anim Pract 2001; 42: 394-8.
• 4 Cook JL, Jordan RC. What is your diagnosis?. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997; 210: 329-30.
• 5 International Elbow Working Group: Guidelines for radiographic examination and interpretation of the elbow joint. Annual meeting. San Francisco: 1990
• 6 Jeddicke K. Inkomplette Fraktur einer Humeruskondyle bei einem Hund. Kleintierprax 1995; 40: 409-10.
• 7 Kaderly RE, Lamothe M. Incomplete humeral condylar fracture due to minor trauma in a mature cocker spaniel. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1992; 28: 361-4.
• 8 Mayrhofer E. Die Skelettentwicklung des Jung- hundes, entwicklungsbedingte Varianten und ihre Abgrenzung gegenüber pathologischen Prozessen im Röntgenbild. Wien Vet Med Univ Wien. 1980 Thesis
• 9 Marcellin-Little DJ, DeYoung DJ, Ferris KK, Berry CM. Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in spaniels. Vet Surg 1994; 23: 475-87.
• 10 Marcellin-Little DJ, Roe SC, DeYoung DJ. What is your diagnosis?. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996; 209: 727-8.
• 11 Marcellin-Little DJ. Humerusfrakturen beim Hund. Waltham Focus 1998; 08: 2-8.
• 12 Marcellin-Little DJ. Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in dogs. In: Bonagura JD. Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XIII. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1999: 1000-4.
• 13 Meutstege FJ. Incomplete humeral condylar fracture in the canine humerus as a cause of obscure elbow lameness. In: Proceedings Vet Orthop Soc. 1989: 11.
• 14 Meyer-Lindenberg A, Fehr M, Brunnberg L, Nolte I. Fragmentierter Processus coronoideus medialis der Ulna beim Hund. Vorkommen und Therapieergebnisse: Erfahrungen an 101 Patienten. Monatsh Vet Med 1993; 48: 457-66.
• 15 Robin D, Marcellin-Little DJ. Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in two Labrador Retrievers. J Small Anim Pract 2001; 42: 231-4.
• 16 Rovesti GL, Flückiger M, Margini A, Marcellin-Little DJ. Fragmented coronoid process and incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in a Rottweiler. Vet Surg 1998; 27: 354-7.
• 17 Samii VF, Hornof WJ. Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs. Vet Radiol Ultras 2000; 41: 147-53.
• 18 Van Ryssen B, van Bree H, Simoens P. Elbow arthroscopy in clinical normal dogs. Am J Vet Res 1993; 54: 191-8.
• 19 Vanini R, Olmstead ML, Smeak DD. Humeral condylar fractures caused by minor trauma in 20 adult dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1988; 24: 355-62.
• 20 Voorhout G, Hazewinkel HAW. A radiographic study on the development of the antebrachium in great dane pups on different calcium intakes. Vet Radiol 1987; 28: 152-7.