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15.3 ­omaatotO Nodattd tNtalnto terNA 229

which only 0.1% were due to osteochondrosis (Craig and Reed 2013). These findings suggest that
primary osteoarthritis (i.e. without a known cause) may be common in canine shoulder joints.
Probably because of its less confined anatomy, osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint appears to be
tolerated better than arthritis of other joints (e.g. elbow).

15.3 Fractures of the Shoulder Region

Fractures of the shoulder joint are generally associated with a history of trauma, unless they are
pathologic (Chapter 17). Most humeral fractures involve the diaphysis or distal aspect of the
humerus; fractures of the proximal, mature humerus are a rarity if no underlying pathology such
as bone neoplasia is present (Rochat 2018). Proximal Salter-Harris (SH) fractures should be consid-
ered as a differential in juvenile patients and can be mistaken for shoulder luxation (Figures 15.5

(A) (C) (E)

(B) (D) (F) SHOULDER REGION

Figure 15.5 Fractures of the shoulder region: (A) mid-diaphyseal, long-oblique humeral fracture; (B)
supraglenoid tubercle avulsion fracture (white arrow); (C, D) proximal humeral Salter-Harris Type I fracture
(white arrow); and (E, F) minimally displaced mid-body scapular fracture.