Congenital elbow luxation in the dog

Four cases of bilateral and two cases of unilateral congenital elbow luxation in the dog were reviewed. In all cases, lameness was severe, osseous abnormalities were marked, and the dislocations primarily involved the humeroulnar articulation. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and external support in one dog and surgical reduction and stabilization in four dogs. One dog died before surgery could be performed. Treatment resulted in return of function to the affected limbs, even though osseous abnormalities and varying degrees of malarticulation persisted. Posttreatment observations, for as long as 4 years, demonstrated the persistence of near normal function of the limbs and minimal elbow deformity.