Elbows - Page 1

Can somebody explain elbow dysplasia to me?  I have seen Xrays of elbows and even went on the OFA site looking for info but I really don't know what I am looking at.  My boy is going for his OFAs tomorrow--hips and elbows--when I see the xrays I want to at least have a little understanding.  Thanks to all.

The O.F.A. website does a good job of explaining the elbpw joint faults, but they are very difficult for most of us to interpret. I cannot interpret the results of an elbow radiograph with the certainty as I can hips, because it is a very complex joint by comparison. I may add that the O,F.A. scrutinizes elbow radiographs with much more detail than they do for hips, using special light sources and filtres to see the faults that are very difficult to see with the normal methods of examination..

One fault that is easier to see is the ununited anconeal process where the bone is not completely fused or has an insufficient fuse. This is not an indication of disease, but is an inheritable condition since the bone development is not complete and causes the joint to be weak.

In closing, do not feel bad if you cannot interpret the radiograph results for the elbows. I have looked at many, both "Pass" and "Level 1 Dysplasie" and could not tell the difference. I might add that I was looking for bone fragments and arthritic nodes that are a bit easier to detect with a strong magnifyer, and I saw nothing that I could discern.

In the end, I do not think that any of us have the expertise with elbows as we do with hips. Good Luck!

Best Regards,

Bob-O

Thanks a lot--you explained it in good layman's English--at least to where it is more understandable.  It makes me even more nervous than I was.  LOL....................  I studied the OFA website and came away feeling like I knew less than before I went.   I too thought it was something--like hips--that I would be able to " see"  .   I know his hips are good but now I will worry about this.  Thanks for the info and the heads up......