<h2>Elbow Dysplasia 1</h2>
<h4>Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP) = Medial Coronoid Disease (MCD)</h4>
<h6>What is Canine Elbow Dysplasia?</h6>
<p>Elbow Dysplasia refers to four diseases:</p>
<ol>
<li>Fragmented Coronoid Process (FCP) or Medial Coronoid Disease (MCD) </li>
<li>Ununited Anconeal Process (UAP) </li>
<li>Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)</li>
<li>Elbow incongruity (EI) </li>
</ol>
<p><br />These diseases are unrelated in their development. Each disease occurs independently of the others, although some dogs can be affected by more than one disease.</p>
<h6>Why does the disease happen?</h6>
<p>MCD/FCP is a “multifactorial” disease. Genetic factors have been shown to be most important in affected dogs, and we recognize a number of breeds of dog that are most commonly affected (e.g. Labradors, Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs). Other factors such as rapid growth as a puppy, obesity, dietary / nutritional problems, and hormonal imbalances may all contribute to development of disease.</p>
<h6>How does the disease develop?</h6>
<p>The “coronoid process” is a normal part of the ulna - one of the major three bones that make up the elbow joint (ulna, radius and humerus). It forms the part of the ulna which sits under the humerus at the base of a cup-shaped part of the ulna called the ulnar notch.<br /><br />FCP/MCD starts by formation of micro-cracks in the bone of the coronoid process - a type of stress fracture. This happens due to excessive mechanical forces being transmitted through the coronoid process. We believe that the precise cause of this varies between different dogs, but in most dogs is a result of abnormal shape, size or mechanical relationship between the three major bones that make up the elbow joint – for example where the radius is slightly short, where the ulnar notch doesn’t fit properly or where the muscles pull excessively on the ulna by comparison with the radius. As the micro-cracks form, bits of bone and cartilage can fracture off completely (Fragmented Coronoid Process) or the cartilage covering on top of the bone (within the elbow joint) can become damaged or eventually worn away (Medial Coronoid Disease).</p>
<h6>Will my dog develop osteoarthritis (OA)?</h6>
<p>As soon as MCD/FCP starts to develop, osteoarthritis (inflammation of the cartilage, fluid, fluid sac / synovium and bones) immediately starts to develop too. Most dogs already have OA by the time they see us and it cannot be cured, but can be effectively managed for most patients.</p>
<h6>What are the symptoms?</h6>
<p>The symptoms caused by MCD/FCP are very variable. The most common symptoms include forelimb lameness, stiffness, elbow pain, reluctance to exercise or play, or general depression. However, many dogs have the disease in both elbows, and may become accustomed to the disease over a long period of time, so the symptoms may very subtle and may only become apparent following examination by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon.</p>
<h6>How is MCD/FCP diagnosed?</h6>
<p>MCD/FCP is typically diagnosed by a combination of examination by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon, x-rays of the elbow joints, and arthroscopy (examination of the elbow joint by keyhole surgery). No single test in isolation can reliably diagnose MCD/FCP in all dogs, and occasionally further tests such as CT or MRI scans and laboratory tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis. X-rays alone can be inconclusive and may be non-specific for MCD/FCP.</p>
2009-08-27T14:20:57Z
Thank you for all the wonderful work you have performed on Hamish's elbow joint. We are so very grateful because without you we believe he would have remained in severe pain for the rest of his life...
Lena & Bill
26
Total hip replacement for canine hip dysplasia, total knee replacement, TPLO, TTA, slipped disc and bone fracture management are a few of the operations we perform on a daily basis.
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Veterinary Surgery | Knee and Hip Pathology
25
2,25
1
We are continually introducing new technologies to remain at the forefront of neuro- orthopaedics and to consistently improve our service to referring clinicians, clients and patients.
elbow_dysplasia_1
Elbow Dysplasia 1
2009-09-04T11:10:49Z