Case Report
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF A TRAUMATIC ELBOW LUXATION WITH CIRCUMFERENTIAL SUTURE PROSTHESES IN A RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS)

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Abstract

A 2-year-old dwarf rabbit was referred for right forelimb lameness of 1-week duration. Physical examination and radiographic findings were consistent with an elbow luxation. Manual reduction under anesthesia was unsuccessful in correcting the luxated joint. A surgical approach was recommended to repair the rabbit elbow luxation. Transcondylar, transradial, and transulnar tunnels were drilled from lateral to medial with 2 suture prostheses being placed, 1 from the radius to the humerus and 1 from the humerus to the ulna. Analgesia was provided and the patient was reevaluated on days 2, 7, and 14 after the procedure. The luxation was reduced and no recurrence was noted a year following the surgical procedure. Circumferential suture prostheses, recently described with no reported postoperative complications in cats, can be used successfully in rabbits as evidenced in this case report.

Section snippets

Case Report

A 2-year-old male dwarf rabbit was referred for acute lameness of the right forelimb, which was noted by the owner a week before presentation following a traumatic event. The rabbit was bright and alert upon presentation to the veterinary hospital but a permanent nonweight bearing lameness on the right forelimb was observed. The rabbit had no previous medical history. An external physical examination elicited a pain response by the patient during palpation of the elbow joint and a localized

Discussion

Rabbit elbow anatomy differs significantly from dogs. In rabbits, the elbow is a joint that can move rapidly from a stable position to a more mobile position, similar to the equine elbow joint. The rabbit elbow joint has a tendency to luxate caudally, due to excellent lateral stability and a limited range of rotation.1 The sagittal crest present in the humeral condyle, the position of the radius towards the ulna, and the presence of the aponeurosis, reminiscent of the lacetus fibrosus, provide

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