Management of Elbow Luxation in Dogs and Cats: An Overview

Abstract

Luxation of the elbow has been frequently reported in dogs and cats. It can occur in severalforms lateral, medial, caudal luxation or Monteggia fracture. Several methods have beenused for management of elbow luxation including closed or open reduction in combinationwith temporary joint immobilization. The later can be achieved via external coaptation,trans-articular pinning of external skeletal fixation. Although external coaptation is easy toapply and noninvasive, re-luxation, pressure sore, and decreased range of joint motion arethe most reported complications. Transarticular pinning technique is simple based onfixation of the olecranon to the distal third of the humeral body. But it’s invasive, requiresexcessive soft tissue dissection, and a second surgery for its removal. Transarticularexternal skeletal fixation can be applied to the elbow in the form of rigid, hinged, or elasticfixation. Such technique is minimally invasive, allow easy access to skin wounds, and mostof the fixation devices maintained outside the body. However, pin tract infection,premature pin losing and/or breakage, and bone fracture are the most common associatedcomplications. This report reviews current fixation techniques used for stabilization of theelbow and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each technique.