Outcomes of 11 dogs with short radius syndrome treated with acute arthroscopically assisted ulnar shortening

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the short‐term outcome of acute arthroscopically assisted ulnar shortening (AUS), to treat short radius syndrome in dogs.Study designCase series.AnimalsEleven client owned dogs.MethodsRecords of dogs that had undergone AUS for treatment of short radius syndrome were reviewed for inclusion. Reporting data included among others pre‐ and postoperative radioulnar, humeroradial and humeroulnar distances, lameness scores, surgical times, complications and clinical outcome.ResultsFollowing AUS, radiohumeral articulation was improved in all dogs. Median presurgery radioulnar, humeroradial and humeroulnar values were 4.5, 3.2, and 2.2 mm and were improved with surgery by a median of 3.2, 1.8, and 1.2 mm, respectively. Median surgery time was 140 min. Median time to bone healing was 8 weeks (range: 4–14). Median time to last follow‐up was 9 weeks (4–468). Median lameness score (scale 0–4) improved from 2 to 1. No major complications were reported. Short‐term clinical outcome was graded by the surgeons as full function in four cases and acceptable function in seven.Conclusion and clinical relevanceRadiographic and arthroscopic radiohumeral articulation were improved and short‐term clinical improvement was documented following AUS in all 11 dogs.