Calls for Cases
Medial elbow tendinosis in cats
Medial elbow tendinosis of the elbow is a condition that has only recently been diagnosed in cats. It includes partial or complete avulsion, fibrosis and calcification of the antebrachial flexor tendons at their insertion on the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
The disease is also sometimes called “medial epicondylitis”, which is a term derived from a similar condition in humans, where it is also called “Golfer’s arm”. Since the tendons are primarily affected the term medial elbow tendinosis is more correct.
The inciting cause in cats is unknown, but trauma or overuse may cause repetitive micro-injury to the flexor muscles close to the medial epicondyle, resulting in dystrophic calcification.
Cats may show clinical signs of lameness and pain on medial palpation of the elbow region, but it can also occur as an incidental finding. Radiographically most apparent are extra-articular mineralised bodies in the area of the flexor tendons. Radiographic changes can be found incidentally in asymptomatic cats. In all cases of affected cats, bilateral radiographs should be taken.
Most cats seem to respond to conservative treatment with rest, weight reduction and NSAIDS. In more severe cases surgical removal of calcified tendon and muscle tissue might be indicated.
In humans, golfers and young baseball players are most commonly affected, mostly due to overuse of the wrist flexor muscles, which act to pull the palm of the hand towards the arm, and attach to the elbow at the inner part.
The aim of this study is to collect more information about cats with medial elbow tendinosis in order to develop guidelines for work-up, treatment and prognosis.
We are collecting data from cats with radiographic and/or clinical signs of medical elbow tendinosis. Please help with this study and send in radiographs of affected cats including a short questionnaire for each patient. Radiographs will be copied/photographed and returned asap! (QUESTIONNAIRE AND OWNER INFORMATION)
We are also keen to see clinically affected cats as referrals in order to perform ultrasound and surgery, if indicated. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any queries regarding affected cats or this study!
Dr Heidi Radke DVM, DVetMed, DipECVS
Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Madingley Road
Cambridge CB3 0ES
Tel: 01223 337621
Fax: 01223 330848
hr264@cam.ac.uk
ortho@cam.ac.uk