Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Elbow pain and treatment in nine cats with medial humeral
By Baldeon, Mary & Perry, Karen Lisette·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2025·Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Medial humeral epicondylitis: a retrospective case series of nine cats (17 elbows).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old domestic shorthair cat was brought in for moderate lameness and pain in the elbow area. The vet diagnosed the cat with medial humeral epicondylitis (MHE), a condition affecting the elbow joint, and tried non-surgical treatments first. While some cats showed partial improvement, others did not respond well. Eventually, four cats underwent surgery, and three of them had their lameness resolved afterward. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for better outcomes in cats with this condition.
People also search for: cat elbow pain treatment · medial humeral epicondylitis in cats · cat lameness causes · cat surgery for elbow pain
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the clinical findings, diagnostic results and response to both non-surgical and surgical therapy in cats with medial humeral epicondylitis (MHE). The medical records of one institution were searched for cats with a radiographically confirmed diagnosis of MHE where non-surgical therapy alone or both non-surgical and surgical therapy had been trialed. Nine cats (17 elbows) were included. None of the cats had a history of outdoor access. Orthopedic examination revealed pain upon palpation over the medial epicondyle (n = 15), elbow pronation/supination (n = 7) or carpal flexion (n = 7) and palpable mineralization distal to the medial epicondyle (n = 7). Epicondylitis was radiographically graded as mild (n = 8), moderate (n = 7) or severe (n = 2). CT was performed in 10 elbows and revealed additional information in seven, including intra-articular mineralized bodies in five elbows. Ultrasound was performed in four elbows and revealed fluid surrounding the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. After non-surgical management, four cats showed no response, four showed a partial response and one showed a complete response. Cats with less advanced radiographic changes appeared to show more favorable responses. Four cats (seven elbows) underwent surgical treatment with ulnar neuritis being evident in all. Lameness resolved postoperatively in three cats (five elbows).An insidious onset of moderate-grade lameness associated with pain on palpation caudodistal to the medial epicondyle should increase the index of suspicion for MHE and prompt assessment for the presence of palpable mineralization and pain on carpal flexion. Ulnar neuritis is common in cats with MHE and they frequently present with free articular mineralized bodies. Radiographs can only detect advanced or chronic stages of MHE, by which time non-surgical management is likely to be ineffective. Earlier diagnosis using ultrasound may improve the prognosis after non-surgical management.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40735978/