Elbow dysplasia is a broad term used to describe three different disease processes associated with the abnormal development of the elbow joint during growth. These processes are referred to as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial humeral condyle, fragmented medial coronoid process (FCP), and ununited anconeal process (UAP). Although, the cause of elbow dysplasia is not fully understood, it is believed to have genetic and environmental components, i.e. nutrition, exercise and growth rate.
Lameness is usually first noted around 6 months of age and is most commonly seen in large to giant breed dogs such as, Bullmastiffs, German Shepherds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers.
The success of surgery depends on a numbers of factors: the age of dysplasia development, the rate of progression, the age of the patient when symptoms are diagnosed and the degree of arthritis already present at the time of surgery. Surgery cannot reverse arthritis that is already present but can help halt its progression. Recovery from surgery generally takes about 6 to 8 weeks.