Surgical ankylosis of the radioulnar joint to manage chronic medial coronoid disease in dogs

Abstract In this small pilot study, we describe a new surgical technique, ankylosis of the radioulnar joint, in managing chronic persistent lameness in three dogs with medial coronoid disease. Computed tomography and arthroscopic elbow joint re‐evaluation were performed before surgical ankylosis of the radioulnar joint. Two positional 3.5 mm self‐tapping bicortical screws were inserted from the caudal cortex of the ulna to the cranial cortex of the radius, blocking supination and pronation. Orthopaedic lameness was assessed using a numerical rating scale and an owner‐reported visual analogue scoring. Clinical numeric rating and owner‐reported visual analogue scoring showed improvement in all three dogs. No orthopaedic or implant‐related complications were noticed, supporting the safety of this method. This new surgical technique of radioulnar ankylosis appeared to be effective in reducing elbow joint lameness and function in this selected case series.