Surgical management of suspected congenital luxation of the radial head in three dogs

Abstract

CASE HISTORIES: Three dogs, aged between 11 and 20 weeks, were presented with unilateral forelimb lameness, with an associated bony prominence on the lateral elbow.

CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Radiographs revealed a caudolateral luxation of the radial head in all cases, consistent with a diagnosis of suspected congenital luxation of the radial head. Surgical reduction and stabilisation involved open reduction of the radial head, and in two cases the use of a trans articular pin.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Congenital luxation of the radial head is an uncommon condition that has conflicting reports in the literature regarding its cause, heritability, breed predisposition, treatment and prognosis. The three cases here occurred in young dogs of English Bull Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds. Surgical reduction and stabilisation provided successful outcomes, in all cases. Only six cases of congenital luxation of the radial head managed surgically have previously been reported in the literature.

KEY WORDS:

• Radial head
• luxation
• congenital
• elbow
• lameness
• transarticular
• canine
• puppy
• chondrodystrophic
• English Bull Terrier
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Pfizer New Zealand for their support of the Pfizer Internship at the Veterinary Specialist Group. We also wish to thank Dr Chris Warman for interpreting the radiographs; and Drs Sarah McLean, Glen Burgess and Charles Georgetti for the case referrals.