Osteochondrosis of the elbow joint in young dogs

Abstract

Osteochondrosis is a failure of the normal process of endochondral ossification. In the elbow joint there are three manifestations of osteochondrosis, namely osteochondritis dissecans of the medial condyle of the humerus, ununited coronoid process and ununited anconeal process. This paper describes a series of sixty‐eight cases diagnosed at a referral centre over a 10‐year period. Ununited coronoid process and OCD of the medial condyle are not readily diagnosed because the lesions are difficult to demonstrate radiographically, but signs of degenerative joint disease of the elbow in young dogs of the medium to large breeds is strongly suggestive. Surgical treatment is indicated and the surgical approach to the medial aspect of the joint is described.

Subtotal Coronoid Ostectomy for Treatment of Medial Coronoid Disease in 263 Dogs

“…Our study differs from recent reports because it was prospective, enrolling cases with lameness solely attributable to MCD, and because a standardized portion of the MCP was removed regardless of the degree of MCD observed on arthroscopic examination. Our findings are therefore difficult to directly compare with previous reports, especially studies that fail to distinguish different forms of elbow dysplasia in their treatment populations 9,10,13,29 ; used various focal treatment options for the MCP; or used a more aggressive arthrotomy technique.…”

“…Our study differs from recent reports because it was prospective, enrolling cases with lameness solely attributable to MCD, and because a standardized portion of the MCP was removed regardless of the degree of MCD observed on arthroscopic examination. Our findings are therefore difficult to directly compare with previous reports, especially studies that fail to distinguish different forms of elbow dysplasia in their treatment populations 9,10,13,29 ; used various focal treatment options for the MCP; or used a more aggressive arthrotomy technique.Compared with treatment via arthrotomy, arthroscopic treatment of MCD may yield superior outcomes. 2,20 The mini arthrotomy technique we used is a modification of conventional techniques and involved simple extension of the arthroscopy portal to allow access for instrumentation and ensure reproducibility of osteotomy position.…”

Histomorphometry of Fragmented Medial Coronoid Process in Dogs: A Comparison of Affected and Normal Coronoid Processes

“…FRAGMENTED MEDIAL coronoid process (FMCP) is a disease affecting the elbow joints, most commonly in skeletally immature medium and large breed dogs 1–4 . Part of the craniolateral edge (radial incisure) of the medial coronoid process (MCP) of the ulna fissures often resulting in a free osteochondral fragment between the ulna and the radius 1,2,5–7 .…”

Co‐existence of ununited anconeal process and fragmented medial coronoid process of the ulna in the dog

“…It is widely known that FMCP and OCD can develop in the same elbow joint (Mason and others 1980, Bennett and others 1981, Groendalen and Groendalen 1981, Olsson 1993, Hazewinkel and others 1998). However, the occurrence of UAP and FMCP within the same joint is described only sporadically (Groendalen and Groendalen 1981, Wind and Packard 1986, Carpenter and others 1993, Meyer‐Lindenberg and others 1993, Keller and others 1997, Snaps and others 1997).…”