Use of intra-articular autologous platelet concentrates as coadjutants in the surgical arthroscopy treatment of elbow dysplasia in a bitch

Abstract

Canine elbow dysplasia (CED) is a complex of diseases resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). CED includes ununited anconeal process (UAP), fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP), osteochondritis (OC) of the medial humeral condyle, and elbow incongruity. A patient with OC of the medial humeral condyle and FMCP was treated by arthroscopy for micro-fractures of subchondral bone and removal, respectively, and received intra-articular doses of autologous platelet concentratres (APC). The patient was evaluated by clinical examination, synovial fluid cytology, radiographic assessment and platform force evaluation, before surgery and at 30, 60 and 90^thpostoperative days. The patient reached full clinical recovery at 60th postoperative day with improvement in the synovial fluid cytology and the kinematic findings. However, radiological evaluation showed a progressive development of OA. Results from this report may suggest the potential-use of APC as a symptomatic modifying therapy in the treatment of OA secondary to elbow dysplasia in the dog.