Radiographic and clinical features of carpal varus associated with chronic sprain of the lateral collateral ligament complex in 10 dogs.

Abstract

Lameness associated with carpal varus deformity was recognised in 10 dogs, eight of which were Dobermann Pinschers. The dogs had a mean age of seven years and nine months. Carpal varus was usually bilateral with concurrent carpal hyperflexion and pronation. Carpal varus was present prior to the onset of lameness in four cases. With stress radiography the median angle of varus deviation in all carpi was 14.6 degrees , and an increase in the size of the ulnar /ulnar carpal bone joint space was seen in six of the seven dogs. Radiographic changes included: enthesophyte formation at the proximolateral aspect of metacarpal V, periarticular soft tissue swelling, especially lateral, bone proliferation at the carpometacarpal joint I and enthesophyte formation at metacarpophalangeal joint V. Four dogs were admitted for problems other than carpal varus and lameness was not treated. Five dogs were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but lameness was not completely resolved and became exacerbated with exercise. One dog was successfully treated by pancarpal arthrodesis.