Anconeus muscle injury in a juvenile greyhound

To report anconeus muscle injury in a greyhound.

One 11-month-old female greyhound.

Case report METHODS: The dog presented with a 6-week history of mild left foreleg lameness. Moderate pain was noted by palpation over the proximolateral ulna and distolateral humerus and by maximal elbow flexion. A laminar periosteal reaction on the caudodistal humerus was present on radiographs. At ultrasonic examination, disorganization of anconeus muscle fibers, and focal mixed echogenicity were noted. Precontrast and postcontrast computed tomography (CT) revealed a thin rim of periosteal new bone on the caudodistal humerus as well as heterogeneous contrast enhancement of soft tissue immediately caudal to the distal humerus. An unrelated greyhound cadaver dissection confirmed only the anconeus muscle attached to the site of noted periosteal reaction. A partial tear of the anconeus muscle was diagnosed. Treatment consisted of 4 weeks of oral meloxicam. Confinement space and exercise were incrementally increased over 14 weeks.

Muscle healing was confirmed by ultrasonography and CT. The dog was able to have a successful racing career spanning 2 years with no lameness attributable to the previous anconeus muscle injury and retired for unrelated reasons.

Radiography and ultrasonography helped diagnose anconeal muscle injury, and conservative management led to full return to function.

Clinicians should include anconeus muscle injury as a differential diagnosis in dogs with lameness and pain over the proximolateral ulna or distolateral humerus or on elbow flexion.