Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs

Dog Elbow Dysplasia Treatment: Options For A Healthy Recovery

If you’re considering dog elbow dysplasia treatment, it’s important to do your homework first to properly understand the condition and figure out the best course of action for your pet.
The expert veterinary team here at SurgiPet has created this article as a short, helpful guide so that you, the owner, can be fully informed about your dog’s health.

Firstly, what does ‘dysplasia’ mean? It’s simply a medical term for the abnormal development of a tissue or organ. Therefore, elbow dysplasia means that there has been an abnormal development of the elbow joint.
The result is that the three bones of the joint (the humerus, radius, and ulna) do not fit together correctly, which leads to areas of abnormally high contact pressure. This, in turn, leads to one of a number of different problems, which we’ll cover individually later.
In this article, you’ll learn:

• The age at which elbow dysplasia occurs and which breeds of dogs are more commonly affected
• Signs to look out for to spot elbow dysplasia in dogs
• How this condition is properly diagnosed and assessed
• The three main types of elbow dysplasia in dogs
• Dog elbow dysplasia treatment options
• How surgical treatment is carried out and why there is an excellent prognosis

What breeds are prone to elbow dysplasia?

Canine elbow dysplasia is a common disorder and is more prevalent in breeds, including Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain, German Shepherd, Newfoundland, and Rottweiler.

It is a congenital, hereditary disease that typically affects young dogs, usually under one year of age. However, rarer cases have also been reported in adult and old dogs.
The mal-alignment of the elbow joint bones causes abnormal pressure on the joint and repeated rubbing, which wears away the cartilage, resulting in severe osteoarthritis.

Signs Of Elbow Dysplasia In Dogs

As a pet owner, you may notice that your dog is limping or there is obvious lameness in the limbs. If the animal’s head is bobbing, either at a fast walk or slow trot, this may also be a clear sign of front limb pain.

Due to the discomfort caused by the condition, some dogs with elbow dysplasia are reluctant to go for long walks or play for lengthy periods.

Dogs with elbow dysplasia also have a limited range of motion in the elbow joints. They will feel pain on elbow extension and flexing.

Does Elbow Dysplasia get worse over time?

For most dogs, the signs typically worsen over a period of weeks to months. Limping and pain are usually worse after exercise and generally are never entirely resolved with rest. Over time the dog usually becomes more unwilling to exercise for long periods or may even refuse to complete a walk.

Various Types Of Elbow Dysplasia In Dogs

‘Elbow dysplasia’ is a broad term for several different conditions of this joint. In most cases, both of the pet’s elbows are affected – and dogs are much more commonly affected than cats.
Here are the most common conditions, and it should be noted that more than one can be present in each case.

‍Fragmented medial coronoid process

‍This particular subset of elbow dysplasia is the most common. It affects large and giant breed dogs, particularly Retrievers, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain dogs, and German Shepherd dogs. The mal-alignment and overloading of the medial part of the joint are believed to be the key factor in this health issue. Abnormal weight bearing on the medial compartment leads to cartilage erosions and possible fragmentation of the medial coronoid.

‍Canine osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

‍‍This bone disease can affect the shoulder, tarsal, stifle and elbow joints of young dogs. Osteochondritis dissecans is a subset of the genetic juvenile bone disorder called osteochondrosis. The condition involves a disruption in the normal development of the cartilage that covers the ends of bones. As a result, the bones may not grow properly, leading to abnormalities in shape and function.

‍Canine ununited anconeal process (UAP)

‍‍UAP is a condition that affects the bones of the elbow joint in dogs. It occurs when the anconeal process, a small bony protrusion on the ulna bone, does not fuse correctly with the rest of the bone during development. As a result, the anconeal process may be loose or unstable, causing pain and lameness in the affected limb. An elbow disorder most often found in young German Shepherds; however, it can be seen in almost any breed.

Diagnosis Of Dog Elbow Dysplasia

The diagnosis of elbow dysplasia in dogs is based on a physical examination at our SurgiPet Center. Our expert team can make a reasonably accurate diagnosis of elbow dysplasia and discuss the next steps based on the physical examination and X-rays alone.

However, in some patients, a CT may be needed to help understand the condition’s severity and design the most optimal treatment plan for your pet.

Dog Elbow Dysplasia Treatment Options

Medical Treatment Options for Dog Elbow Dysplasia

Medical management of elbow dysplasia in dogs is usually not recommended because it is not always effective at managing the condition. Elbow dysplasia is a structural abnormality of the elbow joint. In many cases, the underlying problem cannot be resolved with medications alone. While medications can help to reduce inflammation and pain in the joint, they cannot correct the underlying abnormalities in the elbow or prevent further damage.

In addition, medical management of elbow dysplasia in dogs is often only effective in the short term. Over time, the condition may worsen, and the dog may continue to experience pain and stiffness in the elbow joint despite medication. In these cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to fully address the problem and prevent further damage to the joint.

However, non-surgical options may be the best choice for older dogs or dogs with health problems that preclude surgical treatment.

Surgical Treatment Options for Dog Elbow Dysplasia

Surgical treatment for elbow dysplasia in dogs may involve several surgical procedures, from the most common joint debridement to corrective osteotomy and, rarely, total elbow replacement.

Most dogs - over 85% - experience significant improvement after surgery. Pain and lameness often resolve, and many dogs are able to return to full activity. In more advanced or long-standing cases, recovery may take longer and some residual stiffness or reduced range of motion can remain.

One of the most common and effective procedures is arthroscopic debridement, a minimally invasive surgery where the surgeon uses a small camera and specialized instruments to examine the joint, remove damaged cartilage or bone fragments, and smooth rough surfaces. Arthroscopy is generally preferred over open surgery because it causes less tissue trauma, leads to quicker healing, and offers excellent visualization inside the joint. However, in some cases, arthroscopy alone may not be enough, and a small open incision may be required to complete the procedure.

If joint misalignment is contributing to pain and abnormal wear, a corrective osteotomy (bone realignment surgery) may be recommended. This more invasive approach changes the angle of the bones to reduce stress within the elbow joint and is usually reserved for dogs with more severe conformational issues.

Ultimately, your dog’s surgical plan should be individualized and carefully selected based on joint structure, disease severity, and overall health. When performed early—especially using minimally invasive arthroscopy—surgical treatment can provide long-term relief, improved function, and a better quality of life.

Prognosis following Dog Elbow Dysplasia Surgery

The prognosis for dogs that have undergone elbow dysplasia surgery is typically excellent. This is because the surgical procedures used to treat elbow dysplasia are typically successful in relieving pain and improving joint function. In most cases, dogs that have undergone elbow dysplasia surgery can return to their normal activities and have an excellent quality of life after the surgery.