
In April 2018, Zoey, a three year old, female spayed Retriever cross, consulted with Dr. Courtney Campbell as a referral from Dr. Richard Canan of Newbury Park Veterinary Clinic. She had been lame on the left thoracic limb for a few weeks and it was reported that the lameness was more severe after periods of rest. Dr. Canan tentatively diagnosed Zoey with elbow pathology and encouraged her owner to bring Zoey to VetSurg for consultation.
On her initial consultation, Zoey had moderate to severe pain in the left elbow. A mild effusion of the left elbow was noted and the joint capsule had early thickening. Sedated elbow radiographs revealed mild radio ulnar incongruity, moderate trochlear notch sclerosis, and mild osteophytosis of the medial coronoid process of the left elbow.
PICTURED BELOW
CT: Joint surfaces of radius and medial coronoid of ulna
PICTURED BELOW
Left: Arthroscopic surgery ~ Right: Arthroscopic image medial joint compartment
Zoey had arthroscopic surgery on her elbows in August of 2018. To address the fragmented medial coronoid process, a subtotal coronoidectomy and fragment removal was performed on her left elbow. Zoey’s lameness improved quickly in the initial part of her recovery, and she was walking and trotting very well at her 12-week recheck. At this stage Dr. Campbell recommended a slow integration back to normal activity. Although we often recommend biologic therapy with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) using 2-3 injections into the affected elbow joint after surgery to help hasten healing and provide anabolic support, Zoey’s recovery was uneventful and she did not require PRP.