Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Elbow joint rotation differences in normal and dysplastic dogs
By Rohwedder, Thomas et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2018·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: In vivo axial humero-ulnar rotation in normal and dysplastic canine elbow joints.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with elbow problems were studied to see how their joints moved compared to healthy dogs. The researchers found that dogs with elbow dysplasia (a condition that can cause joint pain and instability) had more rotation in their elbow joints than normal dogs. This increased movement could lead to further joint issues over time. Understanding these differences may help veterinarians better diagnose and treat elbow problems in dogs.
People also search for: dog elbow dysplasia symptoms · why is my dog limping · treatment for dog elbow pain · dog joint instability causes
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare relative axial (internal-external) humero-ulnar rotation in normal and dysplastic canine elbow joints. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six normal elbows (five dogs) and seven joints (six dogs) with coronoid disease were examined. After implantation of 0.8 mm tantalum beads into humerus and ulna, biplanar x-ray movies of the implanted elbows were taken while dogs were walking on a treadmill. Based on the 2D bead coordinates of the synchronized x-ray movies virtual 3D humero-ulnar animations were calculated. Based on these, relative internal-external humero-ulnar rotation was measured over the first third of stance phase and expressed as maximal rotational amplitude. Amplitudes from three consecutive steps were averaged and groupwise compared using an unpaired t-test. RESULTS: In normal elbow joints mean axial relative humero-ulnar rotation was 2.9° (SD 1.1). Dysplastic joints showed a significantly greater rotational amplitude (5.3°, SD 2.0; p = 0.0229, 95% confidence interval 0.4-4.4). CONCLUSION: Dysplastic elbow joints show greater relative internal-external humero-ulnar rotation compared to normal elbows, which might reflect rotational joint instability. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased relative internal-external humero-ulnar rotation might alter physiological joint contact and pressure patterns. Future studies are needed to verify if this plays a role in the pathogenesis of medial coronoid disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29727895/