Elbow dysplasia is a general term referring to abnormal development of the elbow joint.

There appears to be both genetic and environmental components to the development of elbow dysplasia; dogs that are diagnosed with elbow dysplasia generally should not be used for breeding.

Large breed dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.

Arthritis and degenerative joint disease (DJD) are common secondary problems to elbow dysplasia.

What is Elbow dysplasia?

• This is a generic term that means the elbow joint has arthritis. The actual cause of arthritis can be due to one of the following:
  • fragmented coronoid process - a bony projection on the inner side of the ulna comes loose during the growing process
  • ununited anconeal process - a bony projection near the top of the ulna comes loose during the growing process
  • osteochondrosis dissecans - a flap of cartilage comes off the end of the humerus bone
  • joint incongruity - joint does not fit together properly which results in abnormal wear of the cartilage

Clinical Signs

• Although elbow dysplasia can occur in any breed of dog, it occurs more commonly in large breed dogs. 
• Signs that there is a problem usually develop while the dog is still growing, often around 5 to 7 months of age, but sometimes signs do not show up until the dog is fully mature. 
• Owners often note that dogs are stiff after periods of sleep or rest and that the lameness worsens after exercise.  Sometimes the lameness is very subtle and it can be difficult for owners to tell which leg is lame.
  
• During a physical examination, a veterinarian may recognize a decreased range of motion (inability to fully flex or extend the joint) in one or both elbows.  Crepitation (crackling) of the joint may also be present.  Sometimes joint effusion (fluid in the joint) and swelling are evident on palpation and the joint is often painful during these manipulations.

Diagnosis

• Radiographs are most often used to make a diagnosis of elbow dysplasia.  Depending on the specific disease process, there may be direct evidence, or there may be secondary signs of dysplasia such as arthritis or DJD. 
• Your veterinarian may also find osteophyte formation, or the growth of new bone in response to a disease process. 
• Sometimes a CT scan is recommended to make a diagnosis before a treatment plan can be instituted. 
• Often times arthroscopy will be recommended to make the final diagnosis and simultaneously treat the condition.  Arthroscopy involves making a very small incision near the affected joint and placing a camera into the joint.  This allows for excellent visualization for removing fragments or smoothing out defects.

Treatment

• There are several specific diseases that can fall under the umbrella term of elbow dysplasia.  A dog with elbow dysplasia may have one or more of these conditions. 
• Although there are many similarities between these different diseases, they will often be treated differently and may have different outcomes. 

Fragmented coronoid process
Ununited anconeal process
OCD (osteochondrosis dissecans) of the elbow

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