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Objective: To report the technique and outcome of proximal ulnar autograft transplantation to achieve ipsilateral radial lengthening in a dog with premature closure of both proximal and distal radial physes., Study Design: Case report., Animals: An 8-month-old female spayed Border Collie., Methods: The dog was presented for a grade III/IV left thoracic limb lameness localized to the elbow. Orthogonal radiographs of both forelimbs revealed a 7% length deficit of the left radius and elbow subluxation indices indicative of left elbow incongruity due to suspect premature closure of both radial physes. Radial lengthening consisted of a proximal ulnar ostectomy, a radial osteotomy, and transplantation of the ulnar autograft into the radial osteotomy site secured with an eight-hole dynamic compression plate. Orthopedic examinations were conducted at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 years postoperatively. Radiographic examinations were completed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 4 weeks and 3 years postoperatively., Results: Lameness improved with a grade II/IV lameness at 4 weeks postoperatively and complete resolution at 3 years postoperatively. Radiographic examination at 4 weeks showed persistent radial lengthening of 1 cm, and a decreased humeroradial index (HRI), humeroulnar index (HUI), and radioulnar index (RUI) compared with preoperative values. At the 3 year examination, the HRI and HUI had increased indicating progression of elbow incongruity. The patient remained clinically unaffected., Conclusion: In dogs with radial shortening and elbow incongruity, use of an ipsilateral proximal ulnar autograft with rigid internal fixation can be an effective treatment for radial lengthening to improve elbow congruity and resolve lameness., (© 2024 American College of Veterinary Surgeons.)

Four skeletally immature, small breed dogs (five elbows) with elbow incongruency were evaluated for forelimb lameness. Findings on clinical examination included pain, effusion and decreased range of motion of the affected elbow. Radiography, computed tomography and arthroscopy demonstrated elbow incongruency in all dogs. Fragmented medial coronoid process was diagnosed arthroscopically in three dogs (four elbows). Arthroscopic subtotal coronoidectomy was performed in all cases of fragmented medial coronoid process. Incongruency was corrected with acute ulnar lengthening under arthroscopic visualisation. The ulna was stabilised with a plate following correction. In two elbows an ostectomy of the anconeal process was performed to prevent impingement against the olecranon fossa. All dogs demonstrated improvement in lameness scores and client-scored visual analogue scale scores. Postoperative computed tomography showed significant improvement in elbow incongruency in all dogs. Arthroscopic-guided ulnar lengthening may be considered as a valid treatment in severe cases of elbow incongruency., (© 2013 British Small Animal Veterinary Association.)

Radial agenesis was diagnosed in a nine-week-old boxer. An ulnocarpal arthrodesis was performed when six months of age to improve limb alignment and enable weight bearing. When the dog was 10 months old, a hinged circular fixator was applied to the limb to gradually lengthen the ulna and correct angular and rotational deformity. The fixator was removed at 16 months of age. At this time, there was 1.7 cm (6 per cent) shortening of the affected antebrachium-metacarpus and 2.6 cm (15 per cent) compensatory overgrowth of the humerus compared with the contralateral limb. Inability to extend the digits was a complication that improved with physiotherapy. Follow-up at 23 months of age showed good limb use when walking and running. Radiographs of the elbow showed periarticular osteophytes and subcoronoid sclerosis of the ulna.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density of four regions in healed femora of nine dogs after fracture fixation with a leg-lengthening plate. Six to 85 months (mean, 46 months) after surgery, the bone mineral density of healed femora was not significantly different from the contralateral uninjured femora (P > .05; power = 0.8 at delta = 15%). Radiolucencies around the proximal screws, apparently associated with screw loosening, were seen on radiographic views of the healed femora of three dogs. In one of these dogs, one screw in the proximal metaphysis had broken. Force-plate analysis of gait was also performed on dogs at the time of bone mineral density measurement. Peak vertical force was decreased in the pelvic limb with the healed fracture compared with the contralateral unoperated limb (P < 0.05). Clinically apparent lameness in three dogs did not appear to be associated with altered bone mineral density and may have been caused by hip osteoarthritis, a nondisplaced hairline diaphyseal fracture, and screw loosening in conjunction with extensive post-traumatic soft tissue injury.