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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2010; 23(01): 43-50
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-09-03-0032
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Elbow lameness in dogs of six years and older

Arthroscopic and imaging findings of medial coronoid disease in 51 dogs
K. A. G. Vermote
1   Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
A. L. R. Bergenhuyzen
1   Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
I. Gielen
1   Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
H. van Bree
1   Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
L. Duchateau
2   Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiology and Biometry, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
B. Van Ryssen
1   Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 March 2009

Accepted: 27 June 2009

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: To report on the frequency and distribution of lesions of the medial coronoid process in dogs of six years of age and older, and to describe the arthroscopic findings in the affected joints. To compare those lesions seen in ‘old’ dogs with those seen in ‘young’ dogs between the ages of five and 18 months.

Methods: A retrospective study of dogs six-years-old and older admitted for elbow lameness and subsequent elbow arthroscopy. The dogs were divided into groups according to the lesions of the medial coronoid process diagnosed during arthroscopic examination and computed tomography (CT). The radio-graphic degree of osteoarthritis (OA) and arthroscopically diagnosed lesions on the medial humeral condyle are described.

Results: In 51 ‘old’ dogs, five types of lesions could be identified on arthroscopy and CT: chondromalacia-like lesions (2%), fissures (27.5%), non-displaced fragments (12%), displaced fragments (27.5%), and erosions within the medial compartment without fragmentation (31%). A significantly different distribution of lesions was seen in ‘young’ dogs: fissures (23%), non-displaced fragments (45%), displaced fragments (29%), and erosions within the medial compartment without fragmentation (3%). No difference in radio-graphic degree of OA was seen between the two groups.

Clinical significance: This study demonstrates the relatively high incidence of medial coronoid disease in dogs older than six years of age, and it highlights one particular problem in ‘old’ dogs: the complete erosion of the medial compartment.

Keywords

Elbow joint - arthroscopy - medial coronoid process - old dogs
 

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