Elbow dysplasia

Complaints of limping on the front legs in a young dog can often be attributed to an elbow problem. The most common elbow problems are usually found in the group of ‘elbow dysplasia’.

Elbow dysplasia is a condition that commonly occurs in large, fast-growing breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Bernese Mountain Dogs. Symptoms often start at a very young age (4 to 8 months), although it can also occur in older dogs or less specific breeds.

Conditions belonging to the group of elbow dysplasia are: medial coronoid disease, a loose anconeal process (LAP), osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) and elbow incongruity.

Other elbow problems that do not belong to the group of elbow dysplasia include degeneration of the flexor tendon (= flexor enthesopathy) and an incomplete fusion of the humeral condyle.