Healing of Humeral Intracondylar Fissure Following Distal Ulnar Ostectomy to Treat Concurrent Elbow Joint Incongruity in a Dog

Authors
Rodrigo Alvarez , Claudio Motta
Journal
VCOT Open 2024; 07(01): e6-e11 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1778129

A 22-week-old female Labrador retriever presented with intermittent bilateral forelimb lameness. Computed tomography (CT) study interpretation revealed bilateral humeral intracondylar fissures (HIF) surrounded by sclerotic epiphyseal bone. Other changes included bilateral distal ulna retained cartilage core, secondary negative radioulnar incongruity (RUI), and medial coronoid process disease. 

The patient underwent bilateral dynamic distal ulnar ostectomies (DUO) in an attempt to address the elbow incongruity. Follow-up CT studies were performed at 2, 4, and 10 months postoperatively, which showed a bilateral improvement of elbow congruence and complete healing of HIF on the left side. 

The degree of congruence correction in the right elbow was possibly suboptimal, and following an initial improvement, a transcondylar screw was placed due to HIF progression.