Presumptive congenital radial head sub-luxation in a shih tzu: successful management by radial head ostectomy

Congenital radial head sub-luxation was diagnosed in a 7-month-old, neutered male shih tzu that presented with a limb deformity and severe lameness of the right fore limb. Radiography revealed a craniolateral sub-luxation of the right radial head, which was treated by radial head ostectomy, fixation of the radius to the ulna with a screw and joint stabilisation with suture-anchors and cerclage wire. Surgical treatment followed by physiotherapy resulted in a fully functional, well-aligned and non-painful elbow. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case report of a congenital radial head sub-luxation in a craniolateral direction in a dog and also one successfully managed with radial head ostectomy and radioulnar synostosis.

Anatomical study of fibrous structures of the medial aspect of the canine elbow joint

Forces exerted by fibrous structures on the medial aspect of the canine elbow joint have been reported to be involved in elbow pathology. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationships of the ligamentous and muscular structures of this region of the canine elbow joint, and how they relate to the medial coronoid process. Six cadavers of adult German shepherd cross-breed dogs were used in this study to make intra-articular and vascular injections of this region. Some joints were dissected and some were frozen to saw sagittal or dorsal cryosections to assess the relationships of the myotendinous structures. The brachialis muscle tendon passed through the division of the bicipital tendon of insertion which formed a fibrous tendon sheath that was reinforced by the oblique ligament. The biceps' brachii's main insertion is the radial tuberosity where it inserts along with the cranial branch of the oblique ligament and the cranial branch of the medial collateral ligament. Rotational and compression forces exerted by the insertion of the biceps brachii-brachialis tendon complex onto the ulna might influence medial coronoid disease. Therefore, sectioning these tendons could be considered as a treatment for medial coronoid disease.