FRAGMENTED CORONOID PROCESS OF THE ULNA I N DOGS - PRESENCE AND THERAPEUTIC RESULTS - REPORT ON 101 CASES

101 patients with fragmented coronoid process of the ulna were present ed at the small animal clinic of Hanover Veterinary School between Jan uary 1985 and March 1992. 50 animals had bilateral disease. Large bree ds were affected predominantly (Rottweiler 28.7 %, Bernese mountain do g 23.7 %, German Shepherd 18.8 %). Males (74,3 %) were affected more o ften than females. 53.5 % of the dogs were at the first presentation t o the clinic less than one year old. Of the 101 diseased patients 42 d ogs were treated conservatively and 59 dogs (66 elbow joints) surgical ly. Surgical therapy led to a good (all animals free of lameness) or a satisfying (1 0 animals free of lameness) result in 40.1 % of the cas es. In 10.6 % the result was insufficient. Conservative therapy was sa tisfying in 33.3 % and insufficient in 50 %; it was thus clearly infer ior to surgical therapy. In the majority of the cases an increase of a rthrosis grade could be demonstrated by radiograph. However this was l ess clear in patients treated surgically. In conclusion surgical treat ment can be recommended also in elderly patients with chronic alterati ons.