Review of the literature

Y. Samoy; B. Van Ryssen; I. Gielen; N. Walschot; H. van Bree

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1632965

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2006; 19(01): 01-08
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632965

Review Article

Schattauer GmbH

Review of the literature

Elbow incongruity in the dog

Authors

Y. Samoy

¹Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
B. Van Ryssen

¹Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
I. Gielen

¹Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
N. Walschot

¹Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
H. van Bree

¹Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium

Abstract

Summary

Elbow incongruity is the term to describe bad alignment of the joint surfaces of the elbow. Two features illustrate incongruity of the elbow: an abnormal shape of the ulnar trochlear notch and a step between the radius and ulna, caused by either a short radius or a short ulna. It has been suggested that both an elliptical notch, and a step, can cause increased local pressure within the joint, resulting in loose fragments at different locations: ununited anconeal process (UAP), fragmented coronoid process (FCP), osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral condyle (OCD). These lesions are grouped under the term ‘elbow dysplasia’ and are the most frequent causes of front leg lameness in the dog. Although several radiographic features to diagnose incongruity have been described, the ‘scoring’ of incongruity is subjective because there is currently no objective method to measure the degree of incongruity. Because superimposition is avoided, CT is suggested as a standard technique to measure incongruity. Arthroscopy on the other hand, allows the direct visualisation of the intra-articular structures and their abnormalities. Information on both techniques are still relatively new. Several surgical techniques have been proposed to restore joint congruity; the one most frequently used is an ulnar osteotomy. But because of possible complications, other techniques are being developed. Reports evaluating the results of the different techniques are not yet available.

Keywords

Elbow incongruity - literature - scoring - diagnosis - dysplasia

Full Text

References

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