Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with short radius and elbow problem fixed using bone graft surgery
By Sevy, Julia J & Bevan, John·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2024·Central Texas Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of a free proximal ulnar autograft for ipsilateral radial lengthening in a dog with a short radius and subsequent elbow incongruity.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-month-old female spayed Border Collie was brought in for severe lameness in her left front leg, particularly around the elbow. X-rays showed that her left radius was shorter than normal, causing her elbow to be misaligned. The veterinarian performed surgery to lengthen the radius using a piece of bone from the dog's own ulna, which was secured in place with a special plate. After the surgery, the dog's lameness improved significantly within a month and completely resolved after three years, although some elbow misalignment remained.
People also search for: dog elbow pain treatment · Border Collie lameness · dog radius lengthening surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the technique and outcome of proximal ulnar autograft transplantation to achieve ipsilateral radial lengthening in a dog with premature closure of both proximal and distal radial physes. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: An 8-month-old female spayed Border Collie. METHODS: The dog was presented for a grade III/IV left thoracic limb lameness localized to the elbow. Orthogonal radiographs of both forelimbs revealed a 7% length deficit of the left radius and elbow subluxation indices indicative of left elbow incongruity due to suspect premature closure of both radial physes. Radial lengthening consisted of a proximal ulnar ostectomy, a radial osteotomy, and transplantation of the ulnar autograft into the radial osteotomy site secured with an eight-hole dynamic compression plate. Orthopedic examinations were conducted at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 years postoperatively. Radiographic examinations were completed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 4 weeks and 3 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Lameness improved with a grade II/IV lameness at 4 weeks postoperatively and complete resolution at 3 years postoperatively. Radiographic examination at 4 weeks showed persistent radial lengthening of 1 cm, and a decreased humeroradial index (HRI), humeroulnar index (HUI), and radioulnar index (RUI) compared with preoperative values. At the 3 year examination, the HRI and HUI had increased indicating progression of elbow incongruity. The patient remained clinically unaffected. CONCLUSION: In dogs with radial shortening and elbow incongruity, use of an ipsilateral proximal ulnar autograft with rigid internal fixation can be an effective treatment for radial lengthening to improve elbow congruity and resolve lameness.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38923571/