Lateral radioulnar subluxation in three cattle: clinical findings, treatment, and outcome

To describe the clinical signs, conservative treatment, and short- and long-term outcomes of lateral radioulnar subluxation in cattle.

Three cattle with lateral radioulnar subluxation.

Case series.

One 3-year-old Red Holstein cow, one 2-year-old Red Holstein cow, and one 9-month-old Holstein heifer were presented with acute, grade greater than 3 of 5, mixed lameness in one forelimb. Clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic examination results revealed radioulnar subluxation with lateral displacement in all cases.

The subluxations were manually reduced under general anesthesia by simultaneous maximum flexion of the elbow and carpal joints, medial rotation of the forearm, and application of strong pressure to the radial head and olecranon. The short-term clinical outcome after stall rest was excellent in all three cases. Clinical and radiographic follow-up examinations were performed at varying intervals, with a final on-farm examination in all three cattle 12, 7, and 9 months after reduction. Osteoarthritic changes were visible in all three cases, mainly at the medial humeral trochlea, but lameness had completely resolved in all three animals.

Conservative management of lateral radioulnar subluxation had an excellent clinical outcome in all three cattle. Follow-up radiographs revealed osseous proliferation mainly in the region of the medial trochlea of the humerus and subtle signs of osteoarthritic changes.

Lateral radio-ulnar subluxation is a rare but possibly underdiagnosed cause of lameness in cattle. It should be part of the differential diagnosis in cattle with elbow joint pain.