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Home / Surgery / Orthopedic Surgery / Elbow Dysplasia
ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
ACL Tears
Hip Dysplasia
Medial Patellar Luxation
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Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow Dysplasia & Fragmented Medial Coronoid
Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP)
Shoulder Disorders
Arthroscopy
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Radial Lengthening
Elbow Dysplasia

The term elbow dysplasia ("ED") is a general term that is used to describe a developmental abnormality of the elbow joint. In general the bones that make up the elbow are mal-aligned resulting in rubbing and cartilage erosion. This disease has created considerable confusion and controversy not only on the part of dog owners, but with practicing veterinarians as well as surgeons who are studying the problem. Great strides have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of ED, however it still represents one of the more challenging disorders in veterinary surgery.

Most surgeons agree the end result of developmental ED is that the radius and ulna (the 2 bones of the forearm) are disproportionate lengths; specifically the radius is too short. Normally, the weight bearing bone of the forearm is the radius (radial head). The ulna’s primary job is to provide smooth back and forth movement of the elbow joint, but is non-weight bearing. When the radius is too short, weight is born on the ulna resulting in cartilage wear, arthritis and pain.

Current treatments for ED revolve around correcting the disproportionate lengths between the radius and ulna. The most common treatment to correct the problem is radial lengthening.

The average cost is $1,430 - $2,680 depending on whether or not the problem involves both elbows and if a corrective osteotomy is needed.





   

       Arthroscopic movie of severe cartilage erosion                             Arthroscopic movie of a normal elbow

  
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