Summary
Severe disorders of the elbow in three cats were treated with arthrodesis. Fusion
for two cats was achieved with bone plate application on the caudal aspect of the
elbow. A modified trans-articular external skeletal fixator was used for arthrodesis
of one elbow. All three elbows progressed to arthrodesis. One cat fractured the radius
and ulna distal to the plate following arthrodesis; the forelimb was eventually amputated
following additional complications. The remaining two cats were intermittently weight-bearing
on the involved forelimb with marked circumduction of the limb during the swing phase
of the stride, but the owners perceived their cats to be free of pain. Arthrodesis
of the elbow is an alternative to amputation in order to achieve pain relief and limb
salvage following severe elbow disorders in cats. However, limb function in these
three cats was severely compromised.
Arthrodesis has been described as a salvage procedure for orthopaedic disorders of
the elbow in dogs. This report describes the indications, surgical techniques, and
clinical results of elbow arthrodesis in three cats.
Keywords
Arthrodesis - elbow - cat
