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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2013; 26(01): 27-33
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-11-06-0087
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Arthroscopic treatment of fragmented coronoid process with severe elbow incongruity

Long-term follow-up in eight Bernese Mountain Dogs
Y. C. A. Samoy
1   University Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
E. de Bakker
1   University Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
D. Van Vynckt
1   University Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
E. Coppieters
1   University Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
H. van Bree
1   University Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, Merelbeke, Belgium
,
B. Van Ryssen
1   University Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopedics, Merelbeke, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 10 June 2011

Accepted 16 July 2012

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term treatment results of fragmented coronoid process (FCP) in joints with a radio-ulnar step greater than 3 mm. Treatment of these patients only consisted of fragment removal, without correction of the incongruity.

The eight Bernese Mountain Dogs (11 joints) included in this study showed obvious clinical signs of elbow disease and were diagnosed with severe elbow incongruity and concomitant FCP in the time period from 1999–2003. At that time, elbow radiography, computed tomography, and arthroscopy were performed. The mean follow-up period was 5.6 years. The follow-up consisted of a telephone questionnaire combined with a clinical and radiographic re-evaluation at our clinic.

The questionnaire revealed that all dogs were either free of lameness or only lame following heavy exercise. One dog sporadically required medication after heavy exercise. The owner satisfaction rate was 100%. The clinical re-evaluation did not reveal any signs of pain or lameness in all cases. Range-of- motion was decreased in nine of the 11 elbows. Radiographs revealed an increase in severity of osteoarthritis in every case.

In this case series, arthroscopic fragment removal without treatment of incongruity was demonstrated to be a valuable treatment option and may provide a satisfactory long-term outcome.

Keywords

Severe elbow incongruity - long-term follow-up - FCP - Fragmented coronoid process - dog
 

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