SA Musculoskeletal Conditions - Elbow, Antebrachium and Carpus

Question 1

What are the three main types of conditions of the elbow?

Answer 1

Dislocation
Inflammatory
Muculotendinous and ligamentous

Question 2

What is the pathogenesis of elbow luxation?

Answer 2

Usually lateral and proximal luxation
Collateral ligament ruptures

Question 3

What are the clinical signs of elbow luxation?

Answer 3

Non-weight bearing, adducted elbow, abducted and pronated foot

Question 4

What are the three main types of treatment for elbow luxation?

Answer 4

Attempt closed reduction
Bandage/spica splint
Surgical stabilisation if unstable/unreducible

Question 5

What is a monteggia fracture?

Answer 5

Fracture of the ulna and associated elbow luxation/radial head luxation

Question 6

How would you treat a moteggia fracture?

Answer 6

Stabilised both the ulna fracture and the radial head luxation. Replace annualr ligament if ruptured

Question 7

List four causes of developmental elbow disease in dogs

Answer 7

Fragmented medial coronoid (FCP) process of ulna
Ununited anconeal process (UAP) of ulna
OCD of medial humeral condyle
Asynchronous growth of radius and ulna leading to joint incongruity

Question 8

Describe the aetiopathogenesis of developmental elbow disease

Answer 8

Disparity in growth between the ulna and radius
Increased humeroradial gap
Increased force on medial coronoid process
Fragmented medial coronoid process

Question 9

What is the common signalment for devlopmental elbow disease?

Answer 9

Large breeds
Age at presentation
Sex - males and females affected

Question 10

What may you seen on the radiographs of a dog with developmental elbow disease?

Answer 10

Dorsal anconeal process and radial head
Sclerosis of ulna notch
Flattened or blurred FCP
Increased humeroradial joint space

Question 11

Describe the conservative and surgical treatments available for developmental elbow disease

Answer 11

Conservative - restricted exercise, NSAIDs, chondroprotectives
Surgery - debridement of fragments by arthrotomy or arthroscopy, ulna osteotomy

Question 12

List two complications of developmental elbow disease

Answer 12

Seroma formation
Arthritis inevitable in all dogs

Question 13

What is the aetiology and treatment of an ununited anconeal process?

Answer 13

Asynchronous growth between the radius and ulna.
Treat with ulna osteotomy +/- screw

Question 14

What is the signalment of OCD of the medial humeral condyle?

Answer 14

Younger dogs (4-6 months)

Question 15

How can you treat an olecranon avulsion fracture?

Answer 15

Pin and tension band wire

Question 16

Why can’t an IM pin and interlocking nails be used for treatment of fractures of the radius?

Answer 16

Not possible to place them without damaging th articular surface.

Question 17

How would you treat distal radial fractures in toy breeds?

Answer 17

Plate and screw fixation

Question 18

What problem may be cause by radial physeal fractures?

Answer 18

Damage to the distal ulna growth plate so carpal valgus may be the end result

Question 19

What is the pathogenesis of carpal hyperextension?

Answer 19

Rupture of palmar ligaments resulting in subluxation of carpal bones and carpal hyperextension

Question 20

What is the treatment of the rupture of palmar carpal ligaments?

Answer 20

Carpal arthrodesis
Pancarpal -partial carpal arthrodesis

Question 21

What stance do dogs with laxity in digital flexor tendons take?

Answer 21

Palmigrade stance

Question 22

Which breed is predisposed to laxity in digital flexor tendons?

Answer 22

GSDs

Question 23

What causes carpal hyperflexion in puppies?

Answer 23

Tight flexor carpi ulnaris tendon

Question 24

Which breeds are predisposed to carpal hyperflexion?

Answer 24

Dobermann, Great Dane, Terriers