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

Abstract

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.

Radiographic features of presumed congenital subluxation of the radial head in three Newfoundland littermates

“…The radiographic findings described in these three Newfoundlands are similar to the radial head subluxation described in multiple breeds (Bingel & Riser 1977; Milton and others 1979; Kene and others 1982; Temwichitr and others 2010) and can be classified as congenital elbow luxation type I (Kene and others 1982). As no affected puppies were radiographed or euthanased and examined via necropsy at birth, we cannot confirm that the cases described here were truly congenital in nature.…”

Surgical management of suspected congenital luxation of the radial head in three dogs

“…Unfortunately, there has been very little research to document a consistent anatomical defect (Campbell 1979;Gurevitch and Hohn 1980). The fact that a number of cases are bilateral supports the hypothesis of a congenital cause (Grøndalen 1973;Stevens and Sande 1974;Kene et al 1982). …”

“…The luxation is usually in a caudolateral direction, with the ulna in a relatively normal location (Kene et al 1982;Dassler and Vasseur 2003;Piermattei et al 2006). There is no sex or breed predisposition (Kene et al 1982;Dassler and Vasseur 2003). Only six cases of congenital luxation of the radial head managed surgically have previously been reported in the literature (Campbell 1979;Spadari et al 2001;Fafard 2006).…”

“…Congenital luxation of the elbow may be further divided into humero-radial, humero-ulnar, or combined humeroradial and humero-ulnar luxation (Kene et al 1982).…”

“…Subluxation of the radial head demonstrates partial articulation with the capitulum of the humerus. Other radiographic fi ndings may include an alteration of the proximal radial metaphysis, cranial curvature of the proximal ulna, malformation of the proximal ulna, medial deviation of the olecranon process, hypoplasia of the medial coronoid process, absence of the anconeal process, and angular deformity of the distal humerus (Stevens and Sande 1974;Campbell 1979;Kene et al 1982).…”