Hello to all those and dogs who have had surgery for Fragmented Aconeal Process or related surgery from Sydney Australia. My 18 month old Belgian Shepherd male was diagnosed with EP after a constant limp on R/leg for 2 months. X-rays and MRI had been performed, but the speicialists concentrated on his right shoulder and dismissed the most important medical criterion of Differential Diagnosis. After insistance on a CT scan the diagnosis was corrected to show EP or Fragmented Coronoid process (Aconeal) The surgery consisted of removing the fragments from one elbow and surgical fracture of both ulnas (ulna osteotomy) in order to allow the ulnas to reheal in the correct position (that is the theory anyway) in order to prevent pressure on the critical elbow parts. The recovery regime was similar to those above. It has now been 9 weeks and he is exercising on leash for 2x30 mins a day. His gait is limited to a small degree because of the bone healing process but there is no apparent limping. There has been no mention of the Ulna Osteotomies in the above posts and I have been advised by the Vets that surgery to remove the fragments is generally not as successful without the associated osteotomies. Also I have been advised that even if all is succesful, dogs will generally show some discomfort after moderate to excessive injury and a limp may be apparent even in the long term. Recovery period is up to 6 months. Arthritis is usually the compounding condition as any damage to the cartilage (fragments) will produce it. I feel for all those and the dogs involved, but dont look for explanations without evidence. e.g. shoulder tendonopathy etc. I think it is expected for dogs to have some discomfort periodically. I hope all is well with all the dogs and mine included.
