Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Common elbow bone cracks and hardening in French bulldogs
By Davenport, Amy et al.·Published in Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association·2023·Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Humeral intracondylar fissures and intracondylar sclerosis are common CT findings in the limb contralateral to a humeral condylar fracture in French bulldogs and spaniel breeds.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 3.7-month-old French bulldog was brought in with a broken elbow, which is known as a humeral condylar fracture. The vet discovered that many young French bulldogs and spaniels are at risk for this type of fracture due to underlying issues in their elbow joints, like humeral intracondylar fissures (small cracks in the bone). CT scans showed that a significant number of these dogs had additional problems in the opposite elbow, which could lead to future fractures. The findings suggest that French bulldogs may have a higher chance of developing these fractures because of their bone structure.
People also search for: French bulldog elbow fracture · humeral condylar fracture in dogs · dog elbow joint problems
Abstract
French bulldogs (FBD) are reported to be at an increased risk of developing humeral condylar fractures (HCF). Spaniel breeds have been reported to be at increased risk of HCF due to a high prevalence of humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF), which can predispose to fracture. The aims of this retrospective, single center, observational study were twofold. First, to compare the signalment, fracture configuration, and etiology of populations of FBD and spaniel breeds presenting with HCF at a single hospital. Second, to evaluate the computed tomographic (CT) findings of the contralateral elbow joints of FBD and spaniel breeds presenting with HCF for concomitant pathology. FBDs were overrepresented for HCF, most commonly presenting when skeletally immature, with a median age of 3.7 months. Fractures of the lateral condyle were the most common configuration for both breed groups. Sclerosis at the fracture site was identified in 62% of FBD and 95% of spaniels undergoing CT scans. Humeral intracondylar fissures and intracondylar sclerosis were commonly observed in the contralateral elbows of FBD (44% and 50%, respectively) and spaniel breeds (58% and 95%, respectively). Medial coronoid pathology, elbow incongruency, and periarticular osteophytes were not identified in the contralateral elbows of FBD but were identified in 29%, 4%, and 20% of spaniels, respectively. The high prevalence of HIF in the FBD group may be a predisposing factor for HCF in this breed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37337438/