Elbow Incongruence in Dogs

Category: Bone & Joint
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 3

Overview

If the bones that form the elbow do not fit together properly, their joint surfaces carry weight unevenly. This poor fit is called elbow incongruence or incongruity. Unequal growth of the two forearm bones can create a step in the joint, putting extra stress on cartilage. Pain, front-leg limping and arthritis can follow. The problem is one of several developmental abnormalities grouped under elbow dysplasia.

Signs to watch for

Limping on a front leg, sometimes worse after exercise.
Becoming unwilling to walk or exercise for long.
Front paws that turn outward with wrists that bend inward.

The abnormal fit develops during growth, but the age when lameness appears can vary.

When to get help Book a vet visit if your dog starts limping or develops unusual foreleg alignment.

Diagnosis and tests

The vet watches the dog walk and examines the elbows for pain and restricted movement. X-rays assess the joint shape and any arthritis, while CT scans may provide more detail. For some breeds, the Finnish Kennel Club offers a separate X-ray screening assessment for elbow incongruity.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Small

Cesky TerrierSmall · Terrier Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.