FCP may result from trauma. A genetic predisposition has been implied. The top lip of this notch is called the anconeal process, and the bottom lip of this notch is called the coronoid process. The side of the coronoid process closest to the dog's body is called the medial coronoid process. If this notch fails to develop the proper curvature, too much weight is placed on the coronoid process, causing it to fracture.
Diagnosis is difficult and is usually made by ruling out all the other possibilities.
It usually starts when the dog is between 5 and 9 months of age and can begin as limping that comes and goes, getting gradually worse. Surgery was performed on the worse elbow and consisted of breaking the ulna to slow its growth and allow the radius to catch up. This failed to provide any significant improvement, so the other elbow was not done. Treatment with Adequan and Banamine have helped him to lead a relatively comfortable life, and now at age 9 years he still has a significant limp. Binky was lame on both front legs, and since no bone fragments were seen on x-ray, Susan decided against any surgery.