Luxation of the radial carpal bone in four dogs

Four cases of radial carpal bone luxation in dogs seen at Glasgow University Veterinary School in a period of six years are described. Three were border collie types. Two of these were working sheepdogs and the third was an agility triallist. The fourth was a rough collie. All were adult, two were male and two were female. Three cases were of short duration and were managed by open reduction of the luxation and surgical stabilisation of the radial carpal bone. The other was of longer duration and was treated by pancarpal arthrodesis. In all cases the carpus was supported externally for one to two months following surgery. At the time of writing, the progress of only the three working dogs was known. Despite the presence of osteoarthritic changes in the carpi of these dogs, they all became sound and returned to work. A mechanism for the injury based upon the results of cadaver studies is proposed.