Elbow dysplasia is essentially the abnormal growth of parts of the elbow. Although the growth occurs during puppyhood, the symptoms may not show up until later in life. Dogs affected by elbow dysplasia often suffer from lameness, swelling and arthritis.
Veterinarians believe elbow dysplasia is genetic, and the ailment tends to affect larger breed dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Labradors. Signs of the condition may begin appearing between five and 12 months of age.
Elbow dysplasia can manifest itself in a number of ways, including:
* Fragmented Coronoid Process – this occurs when a small wedge of bone from the ulna (the long bone in the foreleg) at the bottom of the elbow fails to fuse with the ulna.
* Ununited Aconeal Process – this occurs when a small wedge of bone at the top of the ulna fails to fuse during growth.
* Osteochondritis of the Elbow – this occurs when cartilage fragments become loose from the elbow and float around in the joint.
* Elbow Joint Incongruity – when the surface of the joint becomes bumpy, instead of smooth, causing friction around the cartilage.
What are the symptoms?
Dogs with elbow dysplasia may show signs similar to normal dog arthritis. They may appear stiff after resting, may frequently lick or worry at joints and may be less active than usual. The affected elbow may also show swelling and the dog may have less mobility than previously. If these symptoms are showing up in a younger dog, it is very likely that he is suffering from some form of elbow dysplasia.
Making the diagnosis
A veterinarian can diagnose elbow dysplasia by running a variety of tests. X-ray results can be hard to read, but can be useful in showing arthritis in dogs. X-rays are usually reliable at spotting joint incongruity.
A vet may also use arthroscopy, the insertion of a tube with a camera into the affected area, as a means of diagnosis. Arthroscopic procedures may also be used to treat the problem. Your veterinarian may also choose to use an MRI, but these tend not to be as useful as arthroscopic tests.
Once a diagnosis is made, your vet will discuss his or her findings with you to determine the best treatment to help prevent dog arthritis from developing.
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