Abstract The objective of this study is to describe the surgical management and outcomes of bilateral Type 2 congenital elbow luxation in a 3-month-old Japanese Chin with severe nonambulatory lameness and fixed elbow flexion with antebrachial internal rotation. Closed reduction and splint coaptation failed because of repeated reluxation, resulting in an irreducible condition. Surgical reduction was achieved by rotating the proximal ulna and triceps brachii after ulnar osteotomy. Stabilization involved using two antirotational screws placed in the distal humeral lateral condyle and proximal radius to counteract lateral rotation of the proximal ulna. A specially contoured humeral plate was applied to resist lateral traction from the triceps brachii. Bilateral procedures were performed in a staged manner, 16-day apart. Ambulatory function resumed 7 days after the second surgery. Postoperative radiographs confirmed stable reduction, and staged implant removal was completed in 13 weeks. Two-year follow-up showed normal ambulation, active play, and elbow stability with residual radial and ulnar deformities. A 6-year owner-reported follow-up confirmed sustained limb use. A combination of ulnar osteotomy, antirotational screws, and humeral plate effectively controlled triceps-induced lateral rotational forces, with favorable long-term outcomes. This approach may be useful for managing severe Type 2 congenital elbow luxation in small-breed dogs.
Kimura et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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