CORRECTION OF AN ELBOW DYSPLASIA BY ULNAO STECTOMY AND AN EXTERNAL FIXATOR WITH THREADED CONNECTING BARS IN A DOG

In a seven months old German Shepherd dog an elbow dysplasia was diagn osed with a step between the radius and the coronoid processes of the ulna, a sclerosis of the trochlear notch because of an overloading of the medial coronoid process and a subluxation of the ulna. A midshaft ulnaostectomy was performed and stabilised with an external fixator wi th threaded connecting bars. Using the thread the ostectomy was narrow ed to correct the step in the elbow joint. With this manoeuvre the for ces on the overloaded cartilage of the medial coronoid process and the medial humerus can be shifted to the radiohumeral joint to promote he aling. The subluxation in this case was corrected and the lameness dis appeard, while the degenerative joint disease did not progress. It is discussed, wether the technique described herein can be recommended in cases with a fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP) for treatment, combining the curettage of the joint during an arthrotomy and an ulna ostectomy with an external fixateur with threaded connecting bars.