Insertional biceps tendinopathy palliated successfully with intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection in a dog: A case report.

Abstract

This report describes a dog diagnosed with insertional biceps tendinopathy that was palliated with intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injections. The patient was a 6-year-old spayed female Chihuahua dog that had left thoracic limb lameness for 3 months before presentation. On physical examination, moderate pain was elicited by performing the biceps test and isolated full elbow extension on the left thoracic limb. Gait analysis showed asymmetrical peak vertical force and vertical impulse between thoracic limbs. Computed tomography (CT) revealed enthesophyte formation on the ulnar tuberosity of the left elbow joint. Ultrasonography showed a heterogeneous fibre pattern at the biceps tendon insertion site on the left elbow joint. These findings confirmed insertional biceps tendinopathy based on physical examination, CT and ultrasonography results. The dog received an intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection with hyaluronic acid in the left elbow joint. Clinical signs improved after the first injection, including a range of motion, pain and gait. A second injection was given in the same manner because of recurring mild lameness 3 months later. No clinical signs were observed during the follow-up period.