Newly Identified Elbow Injury in Dogs: Acute Osteophyte Fractures Revealed by CT

Computed Tomography, Clinical Findings and Outcomes of Acute Anconeal Process Osteophyte Fractures and Fissures in Nine Dogs

Emma L. Deards, Steve Bright, Ben Keeley, Rob Pettitt, James Fraser McConnell

Background

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of canine orthopedic morbidity, commonly linked to elbow dysplasia. Within the elbow, osteophyte formation is a hallmark of osteoarthritis, yet fractures of osteophytes have not previously been described in dogs. Human literature reports osteophyte fractures in multiple anatomical sites, caused by trauma or idiopathic mechanisms, and presenting variably from asymptomatic to acutely painful. This study was initiated to characterize, for the first time, acute fractures or fissures of anconeal process osteophytes in dogs, including associated clinical presentations, diagnostic imaging findings, and outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective case series evaluated dogs presented to two referral centers with acute or subacute elbow pain and confirmed osteoarthritis secondary to elbow dysplasia or prior fracture. Inclusion required complete medical records and computed tomography (CT) demonstrating an anconeal process osteophyte fracture. Exclusion criteria eliminated ununited anconeal processes and other causes of severe acute elbow lameness. CT datasets were reviewed by a board-certified radiologist, documenting fracture characteristics and associated elbow pathology. Follow-up data consisted of subjective lameness assessments, orthopedic examinations, and owner-reported clinical progression.

Results

Nine skeletally mature dogs (median age 7 years, 8 months) met criteria. All had prior elbow lameness; several had established elbow dysplasia or previous humeral fracture repair. Clinical deterioration was sudden, spanning 5 days to 3 months, with two cases linked to mild trauma. CT consistently identified sharply marginated fissures or complete fragmentation within large anconeal osteophytes. Seven dogs had complete fissures with minimally displaced fragments; two had incomplete fissures. In three cases, prior CT imaging confirmed absence of fractures before clinical decline. All elbows demonstrated severe osteoarthritis and often bilateral dysplasia. Treatment was conservative across all cases, including analgesic adjustment and exercise restriction. Six dogs with follow-up improved within 2–6 weeks, returning to baseline pre-incident lameness.

Limitations

The study’s retrospective nature, small sample size, and inconsistent follow-up limit generalizability. Management strategies were not standardized, and sustained use of analgesics complicates interpretation of therapeutic effectiveness. Not all dogs received synovial fluid analysis, and prior imaging was unavailable for several cases, hindering precise determination of chronic versus acute pathology. Importantly, while fractures coincided with worsening lameness, direct causation cannot be definitively established.

Conclusions

Acute fractures or fissures of anconeal process osteophytes represent an unreported but clinically relevant condition in dogs with severe elbow osteoarthritis. Middle-aged dogs with elbow dysplasia may present with sudden worsening of lameness after minor exertion or without clear inciting trauma. CT imaging proved essential for accurate diagnosis. Short-term outcomes indicate that conservative management can lead to symptomatic improvement. Osteophyte fracture should be considered a differential diagnosis in dogs with pronounced osteophytosis and abrupt lameness escalation.

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