Imaging of the elbow (lameness)

• What methods can you think of to image the elbow?

  CT scan.

  Arthroscopic surgery.

  X-ray.

  Ultrasound.

  MRI
• What bones are present in the elbow?

  Humerus

  Radius

  Ulna

  Supinator sesamoid

  
• What soft tissue structures make up the elbow?

  Joint capsule

  Medial collateral

  Lateral collateral

  Annular ligament

  Muscles:

  • Spinator
  • Brachialis & biceps
  • Triceps.
• What conditions affects the elbow (canine)

  Elbow dysplasia:

  • Medial coronoid process disease/ fragmentation.
  • Osteochondrosis (medial humeral condyles)
  • Kissing lesions (medial humeral condyle)
  • Ununited Anconeal process.
  • Arthritis/ degenerative joint disease.

  Humeral (Intra) condylar fissure; HIF/HCF/IOHC

  Fraacture

  Luxation

  Incongruency
• What conditions affect the elbow in the feline?

  Fracture

  Luxation

  Arthritis/ degenerative joint disease.
• What elbow conditions can you diagnose on X-ray?

  Always:

  • Luxation
  • Fracture
  • Ununited anconceal process

  Sometimes to never:

  • Medial coronoid disease
  • Osteochondrosis
  • Kissing lesion
  • Humeral Condylar fissure
• What does CT not show you?

  Articular cartilage (damage/lesions)

  Joint fluid

  Don’t see all medial coronoid process disease; 80% sensitivity.
• How do you best image the structures you can’t see on CT?

  Joint tap

  Arthroscopy
• Elbow dysplasia - problems and subtypes

  Fragmented medial coronoid process of ulna.

  Incongruity: Asynchronous growth of radius and ulna.

  Ununited anconeal process of ulna.

  Osteochondrosis - medial humeral condyle
• When should the anconeal process unite and breeds are predisposed?

  Unites at 5 months of age.

  Young, large breed dogs:

  • German Shepherd dogs.
  • Great Dane
  • Bernese Mountain dog
  • St Bernard
  • Irish Wolfhound