Traumatic partial elbow luxation in a dog

Traumatic partial elbow luxation (unilateral medial humeroulnar) was diagnosed in a 2.5-year-old crossbreed dog. Previous reports of traumatic elbow luxation in the dog described lateral and less frequently medial humeroradioulnar luxations. The treatment consisted of closed reduction of the affected joint under general anaesthesia. The functional outcome was excellent.     

The radiological features of congenital elbow luxation/subluxation in the dog

A radiological study of congenital elbow luxation/subluxation in dogs revealed three types. The lesion occurred in several breeds of young dog affecting both males and females and could be unilateral or bilateral.     

Congenital elbow luxation in the dog

Four cases of bilateral and two cases of unilateral congenital elbow luxation in the dog were reviewed. In all cases, lameness was severe, osseous abnormalities were marked, and the dislocations primarily involved the humeroulnar articulation. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and external support in one dog and surgical reduction and stabilization in four dogs. One dog died before surgery could be performed. Treatment resulted in return of function to the affected limbs, even though osseous abnormalities and varying degrees of malarticulation persisted. Posttreatment observations, for as long as 4 years, demonstrated the persistence of near normal function of the limbs and minimal elbow deformity.     

Traumatic triceps tendon avulsion in a cat

Traumatic avulsion of the triceps tendon was diagnosed in a 15-month-old, male, neutered European shorthair cat. Diagnosis was established clinically by palpation of a transverse groove proximal to the olecranon and by radiography. The avulsed end of the tendon was surgically reapposed using a modified three-loop pulley suture and horizontal mattress sutures. Postoperatively, elbow flexion was limited for three weeks with the aid of a spica splint and by exercise restriction for six weeks. The cat showed no lameness after bandage removal up to the time of writing (seven months). Although rare, triceps tendon injuries can occur after a blunt trauma and should be included in the differential diagnosis of foreleg lameness in the cat. The modified three-loop pulley suture in combination with subsequent immobilisation of the limb with a splinted bandage resulted in a successful outcome in this cat with a triceps tendon avulsion.     

Supraspinatus tendinosis associated with biceps brachii tendon displacement in a dog

A 4-year-old spayed female Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) was evaluated because of right forelimb lameness of 5 months' duration. Orthopedic evaluation revealed signs of pain localized to the cranial aspects of both shoulder joints. Via magnetic resonance imaging, the mass of the supraspinatus tendon insertion in both shoulder joints was increased, compared with findings in cadavers of clinically normal dogs; additional imaging procedures revealed that, compared with clinically normal tendons, the tendon had increased signal intensity that was consistent with increased fluid content. The increased supraspinatus tendon mass in each shoulder joint was associated with medial displacement of the biceps brachii tendon, which was more severe in the right limb. Arthroscopic evaluations of both shoulder joints revealed no abnormalities. The dog underwent surgery, and the abnormal parts of the tendons were resected. The most prominent finding on histologic examination of excised tissues was severe myxomatous degeneration. The lameness resolved, and at 22 months after surgery, the dog was reported to have had no recurrence of lameness. The clinical signs and histologic appearance of the tendons in this dog strongly resemble findings associated with tendinosis in humans. Decompression of the biceps brachii tendon may have contributed to the successful outcome after surgery in this dog. Supraspinatus tendinosis should be considered among the differential diagnoses in dogs with uni- or bilateral forelimb lameness.     

Traumatic elbow luxation in 14 dogs and 11 cats

Objective To report the presentation and treatment of traumatic elbow luxation and to evaluate success following closed or open reduction. Design Retrospective case series conducted between April 1999 and April 2009. Methods Records of 14 dogs and 11 cats were reviewed for signalment, history, radiographic findings and treatment; 14 owners were contacted via phone questionnaire to assess for limb function following treatment. Fisher's two‐tailed P test was used to evaluate potential risk factors for lameness. Results The majority of luxations were caused by car accident and 96% of the cases luxated in a lateral direction. Closed reduction was successful in all cats and 11 dogs; 3 dogs required open reduction. Owners rated the animals' limb function as excellent (71%), good (7%), fair (22%) or poor (0%). All cats were rated excellent. An excellent result following closed reduction was achieved in 67% of canine cases. All cases of open reduction achieved fair results. All owners were satisfied with the outcome. No risk factors were significantly associated with post‐reduction lameness. Conclusions Elbow joints with good stability following closed reduction have a favourable outcome. Poor stability following closed reduction is an indication for surgery. Results suggest that cats tolerate elbow luxation better than dogs.     

Traumatic luxation of the cubital joint (elbow) in dogs: 44 cases (1978-1988).

The medical records from 44 dogs with traumatic luxation of the cubital joint were reviewed. Closed reduction was performed in 35 dogs, and open reduction in 9 dogs. Excellent or good results were achieved in 31 of 35 dogs (88.6%) treated by closed reduction and in 5 of 9 dogs (55.6%) treated by open reduction. Collateral ligament repair, performed in 5 dogs, did not appear to affect the prognosis. Factors such as body weight and type and duration of external coaptation also did not appear to influence the outcome. Increased dysfunction associated with open reduction most likely was caused by the chronic nature of the dislocation, iatrogenic damage to the articular cartilage during reduction, or both. A good prognosis for return to normal function with minimal gait abnormality can be expected in most cases of traumatic luxation of the cubital joint treated by early closed reduction.     

A novel surgical treatment of type 3 congenital elbow luxation in a dog

Congenital luxation of the ulnar and radius is a rare orthopaedic condition in the dog. This case report describes a novel surgical treatment for congenital elbow luxation in a medium-breed dog. A 6-week-old Kelpie presented for left forelimb lameness and deformity. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of unilateral ulnar and radius luxation. The surgical repair involved open reduction followed by fixation with an extraarticular pin and a transarticular external fixator. The outcome of surgery was improved leg function and weight-bearing, however, reluxation of the radial head was diagnosed 7 weeks following surgery. This technique may offer an alternative surgical option to improve clinical signs, as well as insight into improving the management of this condition.     

Temporary transarticular stabilization with a locking plate for medial shoulder luxation in a dog.

This report describes the temporary fixation of a traumatic shoulder luxation in a large-breed dog using a 3.5-mm Locking Round-Hole Reconstruction Plate (LRHRP) to provide stable internal splinting, allowing healing of the injured ligaments, joint capsule, glenohumeral ligaments, tendons, and muscles for restoration of joint stability. The use of a temporary plate with a locking system should be considered as an option in the treatment of canine shoulder joint luxations with severe tissue damage.     

Rotation of the femoral trochlea for treatment of medial patellar luxation in a dog

A crossbreed dog was presented with non-weight bearing on the right hindlimb and a semi-flexed stifle. Clinical examination and radiographic investigation showed a grade 3 medial patellar luxation, characterised by hypoplasia of the medial trochlear ridge. No other significant skeletal abnormalities were detected. A 180 degrees rotation of the femoral trochlea was the surgical technique chosen to treat the trochlear dysplasia, the aim being to move the normal lateral ridge to the medial side and thereby prevent patellar luxation. This technique was able to restore correct conformation of the femoral trochlea and preserve the integrity of the trochlear groove cartilage, thus potentially retarding the progression of degenerative joint disease. The dog recovered fully and postoperative radiographic examinations showed healing of the rotated trochlea with only mild signs of degenerative joint disease.     

Changes in the hip joint of the dog following traumatic luxation

A report is presented, on the changes occurring in the hip joints of thirty-four dogs, following treatment of traumatic coxofemoral luxation.
The animals were examined from 2 weeks to 7 years after treatment of the original injury. Twenty of the hips re-examined showed radiographic and/ or clinical abnormalities. These changes are divided into three classes, in accordance with the presence of persistent coxofemoral luxation and consequent pseudoarthrosis (or false joint) formation; coxofemoral arthritis; and asymptomatic exostosis of the ilium.
Résumé. L'auteur présente des observations concernant les modifications observées au niveau de la hanche chez 34 chiens traités pour une luxation coxo-fémorale traumatique. Les animaux avaient été examinés de 2 semaines à 7 ans après le traitement du traumatisme initial. Dans 20 cas on a trouvé des modifications cliniques ou radiologiques ou les deux à la fois au cours des nouveaux examens. Ces modifications étaient de trois sortes: persistance de la luxation coxofémorale avec formation ultérieure d'une pseudarthrose (fausse articulation); arthrite coxofémorale; exostose asymptomatique de l'os iliaque.
Zusammenfassung. Ein Bericht über die in den Hüftgelenken von 34 Hunden nach der Behandlung traumatischer coxofemoraler Luxation eintretenden Veränderungen wird vorgelegt.
Die Tiere wurden 2 Wochen bis 7 Jahre nach der Behandlung der Verletzung untersucht. Zwanzig der wiederuntersuchten Hüften zeigten radiographische und bzw. oder klinische Anoxmalitäten. Je nach dem Vorhandensein persistierender coxofemoraler Luxation und sich daraus ergebender Pseudoarthrose, d.h. Neubildung eines Gelenks an falscher Stelle, coxofemoraler Arthritis und asymptomatischer Exostose des Iliums wurden die Veränderungen in drei Klassen cingeteilt.     

Traumatic craniolateral shoulder luxation and fracture of the lesser tubercle of the humerus in a dog

A five-year old, spayed female, Bearded Collie was presented with a 24-hour history of non-weight-bearing lameness of the right thoracic limb after sustaining vehicular trauma. Radiographs revealed a craniolateral scapulohumeral luxation and a distally and medially displaced fracture of the lesser tubercle of the humerus. Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture was achieved with lag screw fixation and an anti-rotational Kirschner wire. Surgical repair resulted in compression across the fracture line, anatomic reduction of the articular surface, and a stable scapulohumeral joint following reduction of the humeral head in the glenoid. Six weeks postoperatively, the patient exhibited no evidence of pain or lameness on the right thoracic limb and radiographs revealed complete healing of the fracture and normal articulation of the scapulohumeral joint. This is the first report of a lesser tubercle fracture associated with a craniolateral shoulder luxation. Surgical intervention resulted in the return of full shoulder joint function in this dog.     

Unilateral congenital elbow luxation in a dachshund

Congenital elbow luxation was diagnosed in a 12-week-old, intact male, dachshund with a lateral elbow prominence and mild lameness of the right forelimb. Closed reduction of the radial head, ulnar ostectomy, and external stabilization of the joint were performed. Function was returned to the limb, but radial head and ulnar subluxation persisted.     

Bilateral hypoplasia of the minor tubercle of the humerus with medial luxation of the biceps tendon in two Quarter Horses

Two Quarter Horses were examined at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with forelimb lameness. Case 1 was a 4‐year‐old female with a 4 month history of intermittent forelimb lameness that had partially responded to oral anti‐inflammatories. The horse was in full training and actively competing in cutting. Case 2 was a one‐year‐old filly bred for cutting that presented with a right forelimb lameness of 3 weeks’ duration, which was not responsive to oral anti‐inflammatories. The horse was not in training. On lameness examination, Case 1 was grade 1/5 (American Association of Equine Practitioners scale) lame in the left forelimb in a straight line on a hard surface, extension and flexion of the shoulder was resented and exacerbated the lameness. Case 2 was grade 3/5 lame in the right forelimb in a straight line on a hard surface, flexion and extension of the shoulder was resented and exacerbated the lameness. Both horses had a characteristic dished appearance to the dorsal aspect of the shoulder, with prominence of the proximal aspect of the humerus. Ultrasound and proximodistal oblique (skyline) radiographic views of the scapulohumeral joints demonstrated bilateral hypoplasia of the minor tubercle of the humerus with bilateral medial luxation of the proximal biceps tendon in both cases. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of 2 cases of bilaterally affected horses, as well as the first report of the condition in the Quarter Horse breed.     

Avulsion of the triceps tendon insertion in a cat.

Avulsion of the insertion of the triceps tendon, which had a pre-existing tendinopathy, is described in a cat. The tendon was re-attached to the olecranon and the repair was immobilised using a type la trans-articular external skeletal fixator. The treatment was successful, however, mild and intermittent lameness persisted. Although it is an uncommon condition in small animals, the diagnosis should be based on careful clinical and radiographic examination.     

Successful closed reduction and conservative management with traumatic elbow luxation and medial collateral ligament rupture in an equid

A 9-year-old donkey jenny (212 kg) presented with an acute, nonweight-bearing left forelimb lameness of 24- to 36-h duration. The limb was held in flexion and abduction, with the toe above the ground, and was unable to be manually straightened. There was significant palpable swelling along the medial aspect of the elbow joint. Radiographic evaluation revealed a medial luxation of the elbow joint with rupture of the medial collateral ligament. Closed reduction was accomplished under injectable anaesthesia without complication. The patient was weight-bearing and comfortable on the limb immediately upon recovery from anaesthesia. The jenny was tied and kept standing for 60 days. Full limb bandages, splints (extending proximal to the scapula), hobbles, NSAIDs and cold laser therapy were utilised, decreased and discontinued. At 74 days, a rehab programme was initiated. At 8 months post-injury, the patient was not lame and was back to her previous level of exercise. Although elbow luxation has been described as having a guarded prognosis, there has now been success in 4/5 (80%) reported cases when treatment has been attempted. Closed reduction without surgical intervention in adult animals with elbow luxation can be successful, likely dependent on the level of associated injury.