ELBOW DYSPLASIA

WHAT IS ELBOW DYSPLASIA?

Elbow dysplasia was originally described as a developmental disease manifested as degenerative joint disease of the elbow with or without an ununited anconeal process. Erroneously, the term elbow dysplasia became synonymous with ununited anconeal process thus causing the confusion that exists among some veterinarians and breeders.
Developmental degenerative joint disease of the elbow has multiple inherited etiologies, which may occur singularly or in combination (ununited anconeal process, fragmented medial coronoid process, or osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle).

METHOD OF DIAGNOSIS

Proper evaluation of this region requires the elbow be positioned in extreme flexion and good radiographic technique be used. If a specific etiology is sought additional views are suggested.

 

Extreme flexed lateral required

The purpose of the registry is to identify phenotypically normal dogs and screen elbow radiographs for signs of early degenerative joint disease. The earliest and most consistent secondary change is a smooth periosteal reaction on the proximal anconeal process and/or joint incongruity.

Periosteal reaction on anconeal process

Normal elbows on individuals 24 months or older are assigned a breed registry number and will periodically be reported to the parent breed club.
Abnormal findings are reported only to the owner of record and referring veterinarian.
Abnormal elbows are reported as:

• Grade I- minimal bone change on the anconeal process.
• Grand II- additional subchondral bone changes and/or
  osteophytes.
• Grade III- well developed degenerative joint disease.
  
  

Craniocaudal


Neutral Lateral


15-20 degree Craniolateral-Caudomedial Oblique