Health and Certifications
OFA - Elbow Registry

• Purpose
• What is Elbow Dysplasia?
• Method of Diagnosis
• How Common is Elbow Dysplasia?
• Does OFA require chemical restraint (anesthesia)?
• Should bitches be radiographed around a heat cycle?
• Does OFA have a website?
• How to contact OFA

Purpose

The purposes of the registry are:

• to provide a standardized evaluation of elbow joints for canine elbow dysplasia, whether due to an ununited anconeal process, fragmented coronoid process, osteochondrosis, or any combination thereof;
• to identify phenotypically normal dogs and screen elbow radiographs for signs of early degenerative joint disease; and
• to serve as a database for control of elbow dysplasia through selective breeding.

To date, the OFA maintains the world's largest database on elbow conformation.

What is Elbow Dysplasia?

Elbow dysplasia was originally described as a developmental disease, manifested as degenerative joint disease of the elbow, with or without an ununited anconeal process. Erroneously, the term elbow dysplasia became synonymous with ununited anconeal process, thus causing the confusion that exists among some veterinarians and breeders.

Developmental degenerative joint disease of the elbow has multiple inherited etiologies which may occur singularly or in combination (ununited anconeal process, fragmented medial coronoid process, or osteochondritis of the medial humeral condyle).

Method of Diagnosis

The purpose of the elbow registry is to identify phenotypically normal dogs and screen elbow radiographs for signs of early degenerative joint disease. The earliest and most consistent secondary change is a smooth periosteal reaction on the proximal anconeal process and/or joint incongruity. Proper evaluation of this region requires the elbow be positioned in extreme flexion and good radiographic technique be used. If a specific etiology is sought, additional views are suggested.

Normal elbows on individuals 24 months or older are assigned a breed registry number and will periodically be reported to the parent breed club.

Abnormal findings are reported only to the owner of record and referring veterinarian.

Abnormal elbows are reported as:

• Grade I ~ minimal bone change on the anconeal process
• Grade II ~ additional subchondral bone changes and/or osteophytes
• Grade III ~ well developed degenerative joint disease

How common is Elbow Dysplasia?

Individuals representing 124 breeds have been evaluated by OFA, and elbow dysplasia has been found in 54 of these breeds which includes the Bouvier.

Below is a summary of the Bouvier des Flandres where at least 75 individuals have been evaluated for elbow dysplasia since December 31, 1994.

Does OFA require chemical restraint (anesthesia)?

Chemical restraint (anesthesia) is not required by OFA, but chemical restraint to the point of muscle relaxation is recommended. With chemical restraint, optimum patient positioning is easier with minimal repeat radiographs (less radiation exposure) and a truer representation of the hip status is obtained.

Sometimes, it might depend on the experience of the veterinarian in processing radiographs, and the personality of the dog being radiographed. Consult with your veterinarian.

Should bitches be radiographed around a heat cycle?

Observations suggest that female dogs not be radiographed 3 to 4 weeks before or right after a heat cycle, or 34 weeks after weaning a litter of puppies. Apparently, hormonal fluctuations in female dogs can influence the radiographic appearance of subluxation.

You can get more info by visiting OFA's official website.

Contact OFA directly for specific information on the OFA registries:

Orthopedic Foundation For Animals
2300 E. Nifong Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201-3856
phone (573) 442-0418
fax (573) 875-5073

Dr. R.A. Weitkamp ~ President
Greg Keller, DVM, MS ~ Executive Director

email ofa@offa.org

Health and Certifications
OFA ~ Elbow Registry

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