Elbow joint dysplasia describes a complex of hereditary developmental disorders of the elbow joint. It occurs primarily in fast-growing large dog breeds during the growth phase and leads to varying degrees of lameness.
ED is triggered by a variety of factors, some of which are still unclear. Genetic factors have been proven to play the largest role in the development of ED, even though the exact mode of inheritance is not yet known. This means that not all offspring of a parent with ED will develop ED, and parents without ED can still pass on the predisposition to their offspring.
There are also various factors that can promote ED or influence its severity. These include rapid growth due to inadequate nutrition and excessive feeding of feed supplements, overuse of the skeletal system, especially during growth, and obesity. Other predisposing factors are suspected, and the disease is believed to have a very complex development.
The elbow joint is located on the front leg of the dog and consists of the humerus, ulna, and radius. The joint surfaces must fit together precisely to ensure smooth movement. It is assumed that a maturation disorder of the bone leads to an inaccurate fit (= incongruity) of the joint surfaces and thus to chronic remodeling processes in the elbow joint, resulting in arthritic changes and bone spurs.
The disease develops between four and eight months of age, and the first noticeable signs are usually a stiff gait after prolonged periods of rest, varying degrees of pain, and lameness in one or both front legs. Lameness on both sides is often difficult for dog owners to detect. As the disease progresses, muscle atrophy, significant joint swelling, and restricted movement occur.
Elbow joint dysplasia is a complex condition with various manifestations.
Two or more of these forms often occur together.
Based on the preliminary report and clinical examination, the veterinarian will already have valuable information about a possible disease of the elbow joint. However, X-rays must always be taken to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate between different joint changes. For better comparison, both sides are always X-rayed. If no clear evidence can be found on the X-ray, only joint arthroscopy or a CT scan can provide an accurate diagnosis.
The X-ray examinations prescribed by many breeding associations also diagnose numerous cases of ED that are not necessarily accompanied by lameness.
The treatment of ED depends on the form and severity of the disease. A distinction must be made between conservative and surgical treatment methods, although none of the current methods can prevent the progression of osteoarthritis in the joint.
If there are loose pieces of cartilage or bone in OCD or IPA, surgery should always be attempted to remove them from the joint. In the case of FCP, the veterinarian must examine each case very carefully to determine whether conservative pain and osteoarthritis therapy or surgical intervention is more likely to be successful. Please discuss the exact procedure with your veterinarian at your leisure. Other surgical techniques include, for example, relief incisions in the ulna in the case of step formation or the fixation of the isolated coronoid process in IPA.
Elbow joint dysplasia itself cannot be cured. However, with appropriate treatment, depending on the severity of the condition, affected dogs may be able to live well with the condition. After surgical treatment, the prognosis is generally better the earlier the intervention and the less advanced the osteoarthritis.
Due to genetic predisposition, the onset of the disease cannot be prevented. Similar to HD, however, many breeding associations already require mandatory X-ray examination of the elbow joint before breeding approval is granted in order to exclude animals with ED from breeding. In this way, breeders are already making an effective contribution to reducing the incidence of ED.
But you as a dog owner can also reduce your dog's risk of developing the disease by taking a few simple measures. Make sure your dog has a balanced diet and avoid giving them supplements without first consulting your vet. During your dog's growth phase, ensure they get regular exercise appropriate for their age and avoid prolonged extreme exertion, such as cycling, especially for young dogs of large breeds.
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