Elbow Luxations Flashcards
The location of the anconeal process within the olecranon fossa prevents luxation of the elbow joint unless it is flexed beyond what angle?
45 degrees
What is the negative of the removal of UAP?
Increased risk of luxatoin (elbow)
What are important stabilisers of the elbow joint in extension and flexion? (2)
Lateral collateral ligaments
Medial collateral ligaments
For elbow luxation to occur significant rotational forces are required to result in dysfunction of which ligament in dogs?
Lateral collateral ligament
For elbow luxation to occur significant rotational forces are required to result in dysfunction in cats?
Medial collateral ligament
Where do collateral ligaments run?
From the lateral and medial humeral epicondyle to the radius and ulna.
What prevents cranial translation of the radius.?
Annular ligament
Which way are elbow luxations normally?
Lateral
What stops medial luxation of the elbow?
Large humeral trochlea
What age are elbow luxations in dogs?
> 3yr
What age are humeral condylar fractures?
young
A) Dogs and cats with traumatic elbow luxation usually have a history of?
B) What is the lameness degree?
A) Recent trauma
B) Non weight bear
Elbow luxation:
A) Elbow position?
B) Antebrachium position?
A) Mildly flexed
B) Abducted and externally rotated
Elbow luxation - what is different about the lateral humeral epicondyle palp?
Less prominent
Is the following sentence true or false?
Due to the significant forces that are required to luxate an anatomically normal elbow joint, concurrent injuries (e.g. neurological deficits, pneumothorax) are uncommon.
False
How to confirm diagnosis of elbow luxation?
Orthogonal radiographs of the elbow joint
What should be looked at on x-rays for elbow luxation diagnosis?
Look for uneven joint spaces between the humeral condyle and the radius and ulna.
Which x ray view shows the direction of luxation?
CrCd
What other xrays (apart from FL) should be taken when looking for luxation?
Thoracic radiographs are recommended to assess for concurrent pathology, such as pneumothorax,
Can you think of possible contraindications for close reduction? (5)
Chronic luxation;
Prior failed closed reductions;
Concurrent intra-, or peri-articular fractures;
Severe degenerative joint disease of the elbow;
Intra-articular interposition of soft tissue.
What may be indicated in patients with severe cubarthrosis (Elbow joint arthrosis)? (2)
Total joint replacement
Arthrodesis
Closed Reduction of a Traumatic Lateral Elbow Luxation:
How long to suspend the limb for? And what does this do?
10mins
to distract the joint and encourage muscle relaxation.
Closed Reduction of a Traumatic Lateral Elbow Luxation:
- Patient position
- What anatomical landmark is determined
- What elbow movement is performed?
The patient is positioned in lateral recumbency with the affected limb up.
Determine the position of the anconeal process.
Flex the affected elbow beyond 90° and inwardly rotate the antebrachium.
Closed Reduction of a Traumatic Lateral Elbow Luxation: What does Abduction of the affected antebrachium allow?
the anconeal process to slide over the lateral epicondylar crest into the olecranon fossa.
Closed Reduction of a Traumatic Lateral Elbow Luxation- What can facilitate reduction?
By applying medially directed pressure to the lateral aspect of the olecranon while stabilising the distal part of the humerus.
once the anconeal process is reduced; what should be done with the affected limb?
The affected limb should be extended, adducted and internally rotated
What will force the elbow luxation medially under the humeral capitulum.
Medial pressure
After the elbow has been reduced, evaluate stability provided by the collateral ligaments by (2)?
Flexing and rotating (Medial+ lateral) the affected leg
What test is performed to assess stability following elbow reduction?
Campbell test
How to perform campbells test?
The elbow and carpus are flexed to 90 degrees.
This ensures the anconeal process is positioned caudal to the olecranon fossa, whereby the rotational stability of the joint becomes dependent on the collateral ligaments.
Rotating the ante brachium in this position may give mild laxity but a repeat luxation in response to this would be an indicator for surgery.