Congenital Elbow Displacia
Elbow Dysplasia (ED) - There are 4 main subgroups of elbow dysplasia,
which may occur alone or in combination. Generally they are considered inherited
in most breeds and the incidence may be adversely affected by incorrect diets in
some breeds. Excessive rate of weight gain can affect the incidence of many
elbow conditions, often leading to joint incongruity (uneven rate of growth
between the radius and ulna), and OCD seen particularly in males.
1. UAP - Ununited Anconeal Process - This process is a large triangular shaped piece of bone situated at the back of the elbow joint. This has a separate ossification center in a handful of breeds notably the GSD, Labrador, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Newfoundlands, Bloodhound, Basset and Afghan hounds. This process normally is fully ossified (sealed) by 16-18 weeks of age. This condition is considered inherited with a possible 3 different genes being involved.
Symptoms - Clinically signs are seen from as young as 5-6 months with often an intermittent lameness, which is exaggerated by exercise. Full flexion and extension of the elbow will elicit pain. There is often an accompanying lateral bursitis (fluid swelling). X rays of the elbow in the flexed lateral position will readily show whether the process has unified or not. Long standing cases often have boney arthritic changes as well.
Treatment - Either (a) removal of the process, if done while young, reasonable prognosis with some arthritis later, or (b) fixation of the loose fragment by a lag screw, for reasonable prognosis in early cases. As the anconeal process is not a weight bearing surface, results following early surgery gives much better long term prospects than in the FCP cases (as loss of that process affects the weight bearing surfaces of the joint)
The majority of UAP cases in the GSD have good congruity of the head of the
radius relative to the ulna. Where there is poor congruity, ie. the radius is
too long for the ulna, osteotomy (cutting) of the ulna to allow it to lengthen
naturally is another option.
Affected dogs should not be breed from. UAP is generally considered to be
inherited as a separate condition from OCD and FCP in the GSD.
REFERENCES
Hereditary Bone and Joint Diseases in the Dog - JP Morgan et al, 2000
Veterinary Paediatrics
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Updated 05-03-06