Page 228 - Canine Lameness

200 14 Elbow Region

for secondary osteoarthritis of the elbow joint is medial compartment disease (MCD). Reports of
immune-mediated and infectious arthritis of the elbow joint exist (Chapter 13; Stull et al. 2008).
Therefore, arthrocentesis and synovial fluid evaluation should be considered in cases where estab-
lishing a diagnosis is difficult.

14.3 Fractures of the Elbow Region

The most commonly observed fracture of the elbow region is a Salter-Harris Type IV of the lateral
humeral condyle (Figure 14.3). These fractures are articular (Chapter 13 for review of Salter-Harris
classification), and as such immediate surgical treatment is recommended. Typically, treatment for
these fractures involves reducing them anatomically (i.e. perfect alignment of the joint surface is

(A) (C) (E)

ELBOW REGION

(B) (D) (F)

Figure 14.3 Examples of condylar fractures in three patients: Patient I (A, B) moderately displaced lateral
condylar fracture. Note that the fracture lines are easily identified (black arrows) on the craniocaudal view,
but difficult to identify on the lateral view; Patient II (C, D) minimally displaced lateral condylar fracture.
While the fracture lines (black arrows) are visible on the craniocaudal view, the fracture is very difficult to
identify on the lateral view. In such cases, comparing to the (E) normal, unaffected limb can be helpful;
Patient III (F) Y-T fracture in an adult patient affecting both condyles (black arrow identifies the medial
condylar fracture that is not present in the other two patients).