Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) in a three-year-old German Shepherd

Abstract

An unusual case of forelimb lameness in a three-year-old German Shepherd has been described. An incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC) in both elbows has been diagnosed, which is a rare condition in this breed. The original radiographs and clinical examination were inconclusive. The diagnosis was established after scintigraphy proving elbow involvement and followed by a CT examination of both elbows. An arthroscopic examination showed a cleft in the articular cartilage between both humeral condyles. Because of the absence of lameness at the moment of admittance, initially conservative treatment was performed, which consisted of rest and avoiding trauma. The dog remained lameness-free during one year, where after he showed severe lameness in the left front leg. Although a second CT examination showed some progress of the lesions, it was decided to treat the left elbow with forage and physiotherapy consisting of laser treatment and therapeutic ultrasound. The dog responded favorably to the therapy and remains free of lameness to date. The optimal treatment of this disease remains debatable but the results of the treatment of this patient suggest that forage combined with physiotherapy could offer a justifiable option.

U ovom radu je prikazan slučaj nepotpune osifikacije kondilusa ramene kosti kod nemačkog ovčara starog tri godine. Ovo patološko stanje se retko javlja kod pomenute rase pasa, a klinički se ispoljava hromošću prednjih ekstremiteta. Na osnovu kliničkog pregleda i analize rendgenskih snimaka, kod obolele životinje nije bilo moguće postaviti dijagnozu. Oboljenje je, međutim, uspešno dijagnostikovano metodom scintigrafije i kompjuterizovane tomografije, dok su artroskopskim pregledom verifikovana oštećenja na zglobnim hrskavicama u interkondilarnom delu ramene kosti. S obzirom na to da u trenutku prijema pacijenta intermitentna hromost nije bila uočljiva, preporučeno je samo smanjenje fizičke aktivnosti životinje. Iako klinički znaci bolesti nisu bili prisutni tokom godinu dana, hromost prednjeg levog ekstremiteta se nakon tog perioda ponovo javila. Pri kontrolnom pregledu metodom kompjuterizovane tomografije uočeno je progrediranje oštećenja. Pored korekcije ishrane, uključena je i fizikalna terapija koja je podrazumevala primenu lasera i ultrazvučnih talasa. Na upotrebu ove vrste terapije je pas povoljno reagovao i do sada se hromost nije ponovo javila. S obzirom na postignute rezultate kod ovog pacijenta, kao i to da ne postoji specifičan tretman nepotpune osifikacije kondilusa ramene kosti, korekcija ishrane i fizikalna terapija bi mogle predstavljati dobru opciju u tretiranju ovog oboljenja.