Radiographic and clinical features of carpal varus associated with chronic sprain of the lateral collateral ligament complex in 10 dogs

Summary

Lameness associated with carpal varus deformity was recognised in 10 dogs, eight of which were Dobermann Pinschers. The dogs had a mean age of seven years and nine months. Carpal varus was usually bilateral with concurrent carpal hyperflexion and pronation. Carpal varus was present prior to the onset of lameness in four cases. With stress radiography the median angle of varus deviation in all carpi was 14.6°, and an increase in the size of the ulnar /ulnar carpal bone joint space was seen in six of the seven dogs. Radiographic changes included: enthesophyte formation at the proximolateral aspect of metacarpal V, periarticular soft tissue swelling, especially lateral, bone proliferation at the carpometacarpal joint I and enthesophyte formation at metacarpophalangeal joint V. Four dogs were admitted for problems other than carpal varus and lameness was not treated. Five dogs were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but lameness was not completely resolved and became exacerbated with exercise. One dog was successfully treated by pancarpal arthrodesis.

Keywords

Dobermann Pinscher - carpal varus - lateral collateral ligament - chronic sprain

• References

• 1 Vandewater AL, Olmstead ML. Premature closure of the distal radial physis in the dog - a review of 11 cases. JVet Surg 1983; 12: 7-12.
• 2 Fox SM, Bray JP. Corrective osteotomy for bilateral forelimb varus deformities in a working dog. N Z Vet J 1993; 41: 29-34.
• 3 Langley-Hobbs SJ, Hamilton MH, Pratt JNJ. Carpal varus in Dobermanns. BVOA Congress, Newcastle 2004
• 4 Gemmill TJ, Bennett D, Carmichael S. Chronic disruption of the lateral collateral ligament complex of the carpus in two dogs. Vet Rec 2006; 158: 25-26.
• 5 Evans HE. Arthrology. In: Miller'sAnatomyofthe dog. Evans H. E.. (ed) Philadelphia: Saunders; 1993: 219-257.
• 6 Wind AP. Surgical diseases ofthe carpaljoints and methods of treatment. In: Current techniques in small animal surgery. Vol. 1 Bojrab MJ. (ed). Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger; 1975: 542-556.
• 7 Ramadan Ramadan, Vaughan LC. Premature closure of the distal ulnar growth plate in dogs - a review of 58 cases. J Small Anim Pract 1978; 19: 647-667.
• 8 Farrow CS. Stress radiography: applications in small animal practice. JAmVet Med Assoc 1982; 181: 777-784.
• 9 Roe Roe, Dee JF. Lateral ligamentous injuryto the carpus of a racing greyhound. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1986; 189: 453-454
• 10 Farrow CS. Sprain, strain and contusion. Vet Clin NAmerica: Small Anim Pract 1978; 8: 169-182.
• 11 Brinker WO, Piermattei DL, Flo GL. Fractures and other orthopaedic conditions of the carpus, metacarpus and phalanges. In: Brinker, Piermattei and Flo's Handbook of small animal orthopaedics and fracture repair. Brinker WO, Piermattei DL, Flo GL. (eds) Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co; 1997. a 344-389.
• 12 Brinker WO, Piermattei DL, Flo GL. Principles of joint surgery. In: Brinker, Piermattei and Flo's Handbook of small animal orthopaedics and fracture repair. Brinker WO, Piermattei DL, Flo GL. (eds) Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co; 1997. b 201-215.
• 13 Goradia VK, Van Allen J. Chronic lateral knee instability treated with a high tibial osteotomy. Arthroscopy 2002; 18: 807-811.
• 14 Vaughan LC. Flexural deformity of the carpus in puppies. J Small Anim Pract 1992; 33: 381-384.