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Canine Elbow Dysplasia Diagnosis and Treatment

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:11:14 GMT

The word "dysplasia" means "abnormal development." The elbow is a complex joint involving the articulation of three bones (humerus, radius, and ulna). If the three bones do not fit together absolutely perfectly as a result of abnormal development, the consequence is an abnormal concentration of forces on a specific region of the elbow joint. Forms of primary cartilage disease may also constitute abnormal development. Unlike the term hip dysplasia, which describes a specific condition affecting the hip joint, elbow dysplasia is a generic term representing several conditions affecting the elbow.

Effective treatment requires definitive diagnosis of the specific condition resulting in elbow dysplasia. Each form of dysplasia has similar presenting signs, however the treatments are variable based on the specific condition and time of diagnosis within the disease process.

Regardless of the cause, all forms of elbow dysplasia can result in progressive osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, and erosion of cartilage surfaces within the joint. This can lead to severe pain, limited mobility, and a general deterioration in quality of life. Early detection and treatment generally result in better outcomes and slower progression of degenerative joint disease; however, new replacement techniques are now available to treat chronic debilitating arthritis. Call (406) 548-4226 to schedule an appointment today.

Clinical Signs and Diagnosis of Canine Elbow Dysplasia

Most dogs begin exhibiting signs of elbow dysplasia between 6 and 9 months of age however first-time lameness as a result of elbow dysplasia at any age. The most common signs are forelimb lameness (one or both front legs). Many dogs will stand with their paws turned slightly outward and their elbows can be held out or tucked in.

Diagnosis involves a combination of physical exam findings, history, radiography (X-Rays) computed tomography, and arthroscopy. Arthroscopy involves placing a small camera into the affected joint through an incision a few millimeters in length. Arthroscopy has become the gold standard in diagnosing and treating elbow dysplasia because it provides direct visualization of the elbow enabling a definitive diagnosis and possible treatment in a single minimally invasive procedure. This allows for increased comfort, earlier return of function, and less progression of osteoarthritis.

Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP) —The most common cause of elbow dysplasia. The coronoid process is a small prominence of bone on the medial (inside) ulna and in front of the humerus. It is currently believed that a FCP develops through abnormal wear/stress and micro fracture through the coronoid resulting in fragmentation of this prominence. The resulting "loose" fragment can result in irritation, inflammation and osteoarthritis. An FCP may be a "bystander" in the process of elbow dysplasia in many cases. Removal of the FCP may improve clinical signs, however in many cases the abnormal wear of cartilage surfaces which resulted in the FCP may also need to be addressed.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) —Often referred to as a cartilage flap, OCD is an abnormality in endochondral ossification resulting in a poor connection between cartilage and the underlying bone. The result of this weak connection is separation and peeling away of the cartilage from the bone leading to lameness, pain, and progressive osteoarthritis.

Elbow Incongruency —This form of elbow dysplasia can occur from abnormal asynchronous growth of the humerus, radius, or ulna. In the normal elbow joint, each of these bones fits precisely together to form a congruent joint. With any length discrepancy or conformational change in any one of these bones, incongruence of the elbow occurs resulting in pain and progressive osteoarthritis. Several lengthening and or shortening techniques exist to reestablish congruency of the elbow. Early detection of elbow incongruency is essential for successful treatment.

Medial Compartment Disease (MCD) —Progressive osteoarthritis—Osteoarthritis from elbow dysplasia may result in complete loss of cartilage on the weight-bearing surfaces of the medial joint structures resulting in what is called Medial Compartment Disease (MCD). In this "end stage" form of elbow dysplasia, the medial joint collapses with eventual grinding of bone (humerus) on bone (ulna). Traditionally, once OA and abnormal wear resulted in full thickness cartilage erosion, few surgical options existed to treat elbow dysplasia. Interestingly and importantly, the larger lateral (outside) part of the elbow joint appears normal. MCD can be diagnosed in dogs as young as 6 months of age, or may become apparent at any age after that. Many dogs do not exhibit clinical signs until later in life when the osteoarthritis becomes severe. Changes in activity level, limping, swollen elbows, pain in the elbows, decreased performance, and behavioral changes are some of the clinical signs. New replacement/resurfacing techniques are now available returning once severely arthritic patients back to normal pain free activity levels.

United Anconeal Process (UAP) —A UAP is defined as lack of fusion of the anconeal process (a prominence of bone on the ulna and behind the humerus) by 20 weeks of age. This condition is seen most commonly in German Shepherds. Treatment options include surgical stabilization of the UAP in young patients, and excision in older patients. Though this condition is present from an early age, it is not uncommonly found as a cause of acute onset lameness in older animals.

Treatment of Canine Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow Arthroscopy —Early surgical intervention with arthroscopy to evaluate the medial compartment of the joint, remove loose fragments, and smooth the joint surface (chondroplasty) is recommended. In young dogs (<1 year) without signs of cartilage wear and full thickness loss, this may provide a more comfortable elbow, but it will not eliminate the osteoarthritis, and the potential for progressive MCD. As dogs become older and MCD progresses, lameness, pain, and limited mobility result. Traditionally, once full thickness cartilage erosion has developed, little could be offered to alleviate pain and restore normal pain free activity levels.

Canine Unicompartmental Elbow Resurfacing(CUE) —Options such as oral medications, joint injections, and physical therapy may be beneficial in some cases for at least a period of time and should be discussed with your veterinarian. When surgical treatment is deemed necessary, as is often the case, the Canine Unicompartmental Elbow (CUE) is a safe and effective option to consider. CUE was developed as a treatment for MCD for dogs in which arthroscopic treatment and the nonsurgical options are no longer successful. By focusing on the specific area of disease (the medial compartment), the CUE implant provides a less invasive, bone-sparing option for resurfacing the bone-on-bone medial compartment while preserving the dog’s own "good" cartilage in the lateral compartment. This medial resurfacing procedure reduces or eliminates the pain and lameness that was caused by the bone-on-bone grinding.

To learn more about the diagnostic and treatment options available at Bridger Veterinary Specialists & Emergency contact us at (406) 548-4226 or info@bvspets.com .

Canine Hip Dysplasia Diagnosis and Treatment

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:52:56 GMT

Hip Dysplasia is a common, inherited, developmental condition that involves increased laxity of the hip joint. It is one of the most common orthopedic abnormalities in young, giant, and large breeds, however all breeds can be afflicted. Although the exact cause of hip dysplasia has not been determined, many factors have been implicated. Genetics, rapid growth, excessive nutrition, and diminished muscle mass have been associated with increased severity of hip dysplasia. Affected dogs are born with normal hips, but develop a lack of conformity between the femur and acetabular cup, which invariably leads to the development of arthritis.

Call (406) 548‑4226 today to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian at Bridger Veterinary Specialists & Emergency .

Diagnosis

Dogs with hip dysplasia may present with signs of hip pain, commonly indicated by a reluctance to jump into the car, pain when rising, or inactivity and reluctance to play in puppies. Clinical signs are common between 6 and 12 months when there is excessive laxity, and again in dogs over 3 years of age when arthritis becomes more severe. Diagnosis is based on physical examination findings of laxity or pain in the hips and confirmed with X-rays . We recommend screening examinations are performed by your regular veterinarian at four months of age in any large breed dog. Standard “hip extended” views combined with distraction views give the most information.

Treatment

Many treatment options are available for hip dysplasia. Treatment is based on severity of signs, age at presentation, client expectations of performance, and financial considerations.

Medical Management —The most conservative method of treatment of hip dysplasia involves medical management consisting of weight loss, controlled activity, and anti-inflammatory drugs or nutraceuticals (e.g. glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate). Many new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are available for dogs. Ask your family veterinarian which is best suited for your pet’s needs. Medical management does not reverse arthritis, but provides control of pain.

Double Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO) —Young dogs (6 to 18 months) that do not have significant arthritis are candidates for Double Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO). DPO improves femoral head coverage through a procedure that involves making three cuts in the bones of the pelvis, then rotating and plating a section of the pelvis. The goal of this surgery is to decrease pain and the progression of arthritis. Long term evaluation of dogs after DPO has shown excellent results.

Symphysiodesis —Symphysiodesis is a technique for preventative management of the progression of juvenile canine hip dysplasia. It involves closing the growth plate on the “floor” of the pelvis, increasing femoral head coverage. This technique can be performed relatively rapidly, is minimally invasive, and entails no surgical implants. Ideal candidates have hip laxity with no radiographic signs of arthritis and are between 15 and 20 weeks of age.

Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO) —FHO is a salvage procedure to address hip dysplasia. This surgery involves removing the bone of the femoral head (Figure 5), and aims to eliminate the source of pain. Small dogs and cats may be better candidates for this procedure than large and giant breed dogs, which may have prolonged recoveries and variable outcomes. Gait abnormalities may persist after FHO and post-operative physical therapy is critical to the success of the procedure.

Total Hip Replacement (THR) —THR involves implantation of a prosthetic hip in a similar fashion as is done in humans, and has been well established in veterinary medicine since the 1970s. Both cemented and cementless options are available for dogs, and your surgeon will discuss which would be best for your pet. The availability of many different implant sizes makes this the best option for most dogs with severe signs of hip problems. Ideal candidates are over eight months of age with no overt systemic illness. Although hip dysplasia is often a bilateral disease, THR is performed on only one hip at a time, with the most painful hip treated first. Often, only one hip needs to be replaced to achieve acceptable function. If pain persists, a second THR may be performed at least two months after the first.

As with any surgery, complications exist with THR and include infection, implant failure and femur fractures. These complications combined occur in less than 10% of patients and improvements in implant design and technique have led to the low complication rate. Full recovery from THR takes approximately eight weeks with many dogs able to walk on the affected leg the day after surgery. The success rate of THR is excellent with 90-95% of dogs able to have normal use of the affected limb after surgery.

To learn more about the diagnostic and treatment options available at Bridger Veterinary Specialists & Emergency contact us at (406) 548-4226 or info@bvspets.com . If you are a referring veterinarian, please review the information on our referral page .

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury and TPLO Surgery for Dogs

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 12:44:40 GMT

What is the cranial cruciate ligament?

The cranial cruciate ligament CCL (also called the ACL or anterior cruciate ligament in people) is one of the primary stabilizers of the knee joint. It is made up of multiple fibers of collagen that are woven together to form a strong band of tissue that connect the femur (thigh) and tibia (shin) bones. Its primary functions are to prevent sliding, hyperextension, and rotation of the knee. Damage to this ligament is the most common cause of lameness in dogs. Call (406) 548‑4226 to schedule an appointment today.

How is the cruciate ligament damaged?

Occasionally, there may be an acute injury to the joint from trauma, but more often, there appears to be a chronic degeneration of the ligament. There are some breeds that appear to be predisposed to ligament damage including labradors, pit bulls, rottweilers, West Highland white terriers, and Newfoundlands. Excessive body weight appears to put animals at an even higher risk. Unfortunately, over 50% of the time, both legs will suffer cruciate ligament injury. Once the ligament tears, shearing or instability between the femur and tibia will often damage the meniscus. This cartilage pad sits between the two bones and acts as a cushion or stabilizer. Once damaged, it acts like a stone in the shoe and further contributes to pain.

What are the signs of cruciate ligament injury?

Lameness is the most common clinical sign. Sometimes this will be a non-weight bearing lameness, but in early cases, it may show up only after exercise. Dogs may be reluctant to exercise, not want to jump or go up stairs, and often kick the leg to the side as it hurts to flex the knee. Many owners start to hear a “pop” or “click” when there are tears in the meniscus.

How is cruciate injury diagnosed?

Palpation of the affected knee by an experienced clinician is often enough to diagnose the condition in dogs. Especially when there is a complete tear of the ligament, a classic drawer or thrust motion will be present which is a definitive diagnosis. Early partial ligament injuries can be more challenging and may only have pain with hyperextension of the joint or rotation and mild joint swelling. Thickening of the inside of the joint (buttress) is often present in chronic cases as the body starts to form scar tissue to try to stabilize the joint. Radiographs (X-rays) can help identify joint swelling, but will not show the ligament. MRI is commonly performed in people, but rarely used for a diagnosis in dogs. Confirmation of the injury occurs at surgery with direct visualization of the ligament. This can be done with arthroscopic or “keyhole” approaches to the joint. The meniscus is always inspected at the time of surgery to determine if damage is present. Meniscal injury to some extent is present in ~60% of patients with cruciate ligament injury.

How is cranial cruciate ligament injury treated?

Medical management—unfortunately, without surgical intervention, most animals will progress to chronic lameness and arthritis. Medical management is geared toward treating the pain and joint deterioration that occurs. Weight loss in overweight dogs may be one of the most effective treatments. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and nutraceuticals like glucosamine and omega 3 fatty acids are used to treat signs and try to limit the progression of arthritis. Some people advocate the use of braces or custom orthotics but due to poor patient compliance and failure to treat the underlying problem, the outcome is highly unpredictable. Call (406) 548‑4226 to schedule an appointment today.

Surgical treatment —Over 100 techniques have been described to treat cranial cruciate injury. To simplify these, they can be separated into two main treatment types. Those that aim to replace the damaged ligaments function with something else, and those that alter the geometry and physics of the joint.
Replacement options: These techniques have been around since the mid 1900s and mimic procedures performed in people. A variety of tissues and substances can be used to mimic the function of the cruciate ligament. In people, these tissues may come from the patient (muscle, tendon or ligament) that are transposed into the joint, or may come from cadavers. Nylon and strong braided suture material are most commonly used in dogs. The problem with these procedures is that they don’t address the underlying cause of joint instability, and anything that is used is typically biologically and mechanically inferior to the original ligament. The techniques are used most commonly in very small patients, or animals with less active lifestyles. These procedures rely heavily on the body's own ability to create scar tissue to help stabilize the joint.
TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy): The TPLO is the most common treatment for cruciate ligament injury in the dog. Instead of replacing the ligament, the TPLO aims to alter the forces that act on the joint and make the ligament less important for stability. This is done by altering the angle of the surface of the tibia (the tibial plateau). A controlled cut or osteotomy is performed on the top of the tibia bone, and the surface of the tibia bone is isolated. The surface is then rotated to level the tibial plateau. A strong plate and screws are used to hold the bone in its new position. The analogy we often use is that of a car parked on a hill. If a car is parked on a hill, the parking brake (cruciate ligament) must be applied to prevent the car (femur) from rolling down the hill (tibia). If the car is parked on a flat surface, the parking brake is not needed. This summarizes the effect of the TPLO. It results in joint stability in the absence of the ligament.

What happens after surgery?

Most of our patients are hospitalized for pain control for 1 night after surgery. A typed discharge instruction will be sent home to describe the post-operative care and medications. Most dogs will walk on the leg within 1 day of surgery. The first 2 weeks will have the most exercise restrictions, and patients typically are confined to a crate or small room and just go outside for eliminations. After the 2 week recheck, most patients will start progressive leash walking and a physical therapy plan. By 8 weeks out, dogs are typically doing 40 minutes of leash walking 2 to 3 times daily. At 8 weeks we take another set of X-rays to confirm healing and will begin off leash activity.

What is the success of surgery?

The definition of success is highly variable. Returning animals to their preinjury level of function and activity should occur 95% of the time. Some level of arthritis will progress, but much less with surgery than without. The most common complications include incision issues, infection, and swelling.

Why should I choose Bridger Veterinary Specialists & Emergency for my pet’s cruciate ligament injury?

Experience is key. With over 40 years of knee surgeries and thousands of clinical cases, there is very little our veterinary team hasn’t seen. We use the most advanced equipment and implants to help assure an excellent outcome. We have a dedicated orthopedic operating suite to minimize the chance of any complications and infection. We use advanced pain management techniques like femoral and sciatic nerve blocks, epidurals, and long-acting local blocks in addition to an aggressive oral pain medication protocol to assure your pet’s comfort.

Call (406) 548‑4226 to schedule an appointment today.

References: http://www.acvs.org