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elbow dysplasia & patellar luxation

Hip dyElbow dysplasia & patellar luxation

Common joint abnormalities

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Elbow dysplasia (ED) examination is not as technically challenging as HD and is usually performed in conjunction with HD examination under the same sedation. Elbow dysplasia in SBT is less common than HD, but if present, can have a massive impact on a dog's mobility and quality of life. The primary function of a dog's forelimb is efficient weight bearing, which is significantly compromised by elbow dysplasia. ED has more studied genetic predisposition than HD. Depending on the diagnosed grade and symptoms such as lameness, ED often requires surgical intervention.

References
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders 2018
Epidemiology and clinical management of elbow joint disease in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. doi: 10.1186/s40575-020-0080-5
Long-term outcomes in dogs with elbow dysplasia, assessed using the canine orthopaedic index. doi.org/10.1002/vetr.2950
Heritability of Unilateral Elbow Dysplasia in the Dog: A Retrospective Study of Sire and Dam Influence. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00422
Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the UK: their disorder predispositions and protections. DOI:10.1186/s40575-020-00092-w
BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Musculoskeletal Disorders 2018
Patellar luxation in dogs. doi: 10.2147/VMRR.S142545
The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology volume 3, Article number: 4 (2016)
Anatomical characteristics and potential gene mutation sites of a familial recurrent patellar dislocation. doi: 10.1186/s12920-022-01330-9
Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the UK: their disorder predispositions and protections. DOI:10.1186/s40575-020-00092-w

Patellar (knee cap) luxation examination, unlike the dysplasia of hips or elbows, is done through a manual test. However, in several breed clubs there have already been discussions about whether this test should be better done under sedation because massive musculature of the hind limb could be a hindrance during manual examination. However, the displacement of the patella is far not the only knee issue that is often found in Staffordshire bull terriers: problems with the cruciate ligaments and meniscus are also quite common and harder to examine. They are observed more often in some lines than in others, and most likely environmental factors such as injuries, exercise routine, and nutrition are a huge factor in ligaments and meniscus damage.

Finnish Kennel Club statistics on elbow dysplasia examination of dogs born 2014-2024. Source: Finnish Kennel Club

Finnish Kennel Club statistics on patellar luxation examination results from 2014 to August 2024. Source: Finnish Kennel Club

References