Elbow Contracture Secondary to Congenital Shoulder Luxation in a Dog: Surgical Management with Elbow Muscle Release and Circular Osteotomy-Based Shoulder Arthrodesis

A 10-month-old Poodle was presented with intermittent non-weight-bearing lameness of the left thoracic limb. Orthopedic and radiographic examinations revealed medial shoulder luxation and markedly reduced elbow extension. A two-stage surgical approach was performed. In the first stage, selective myotomy of periarticular structures, including the biceps brachii-brachialis complex and the extensor carpi radialis muscle, was conducted via medial and lateral approaches. A trans-articular external skeletal fixator was applied to maintain elbow extension. Elbow extension improved from 105° preoperatively to 142°. After confirming functional recovery of the elbow joint, the second stage involved shoulder arthrodesis using a circular osteotomy technique with a radial saw, which enabled fine-tuned intraoperative adjustment of limb alignment based on the contralateral limb posture. At nine months postoperatively, the patient exhibited a symmetrical gait, full weight-bearing, and no evidence of discomfort on range of motion assessment. This case highlights the clinical relevance of secondary elbow contracture associated with congenital shoulder instability and suggests that a combination of targeted muscle release and adjustable arthrodesis may offer favorable outcomes in managing complex joint dysfunction.