Elbow dysplasia in dogs
Elbow dysplasia means that the elbow joint becomes deformed, causing the joint cartilage to deteriorate. Studies show that elbow dysplasia is a hereditary condition and that its heritability is comparable to that of hip dysplasia.
Causes of elbow dysplasia:
There are 3 growth disorders that can cause elbow dysplasia, which are:
- Loose Coronoid Process (LPC): This is the most common cause of elbow dysplasia. It involves a loose piece of bone in the elbow joint. Due to overload on this bone, it breaks down; it may fracture or the joint cartilage can be damaged.
- Loose Anconeal Process (LPA): This also involves a loose piece of bone in the elbow joint, leading to irritation. The irritation turns into pain, causing the dog to limp. Eventually, this leads to instability in the elbow, resulting in arthritis in the joint.
- Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) of the humeral condyle: This involves damage to the joint cartilage on the inner articular ridge of the humerus.
These causes of elbow dysplasia can develop once the dog is between 4 and 5 months old. Elbow dysplasia is common in medium to large dog breeds. A developmental disorder is suggested as a possible cause of overload and/or overweight. This could worsen if too much calcium is included in the diet. Usually, this causes stress on the cartilage layer in the elbow joint, leading to arthritis.
Elbow dysplasia can be diagnosed with an X-ray. It is best treated with surgery.
