Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgery to fix radial head luxation causing lameness in young dogs
By Clark, K J et al.·Published in New Zealand veterinary journal·2010·Veterinary Specialist Group Ltd·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Surgical management of suspected congenital luxation of the radial head in three dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three young dogs, aged 11 to 20 weeks, were brought in for limping on their front legs and had a noticeable bump on their elbows. X-rays showed that the radial head (a part of the elbow joint) was dislocated, a condition thought to be congenital (present at birth). The dogs underwent surgery to fix the dislocation, which involved repositioning the radial head and, in two cases, using a pin to stabilize it. All three dogs recovered well after the surgery and were able to move normally again.
People also search for: puppy limping front leg · dog elbow surgery recovery · congenital elbow dislocation in dogs
Abstract
CASE HISTORIES: Three dogs, aged between 11 and 20 weeks, were presented with unilateral forelimb lameness, with an associated bony prominence on the lateral elbow. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Radiographs revealed a caudolateral luxation of the radial head in all cases, consistent with a diagnosis of suspected congenital luxation of the radial head. Surgical reduction and stabilisation involved open reduction of the radial head, and in two cases the use of a trans articular pin. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Congenital luxation of the radial head is an uncommon condition that has conflicting reports in the literature regarding its cause, heritability, breed predisposition, treatment and prognosis. The three cases here occurred in young dogs of English Bull Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds. Surgical reduction and stabilisation provided successful outcomes, in all cases. Only six cases of congenital luxation of the radial head managed surgically have previously been reported in the literature.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20383245/