The dog presents with early morning stiffness and lameness of the limb, walking with his foreleg turned outwards and has a limp. On moving the joint pain is experienced and in sever cases, joint movement is diminished. Heavy, overweight dogs are more susceptible, as are dogs doing a lot of strenuous physical exercise. It is also not uncommon for a dog to have no symptoms, yet X-rays reveal one or other lesion in the elbow joint. This is the most common cause and can usually be diagnosed on X-rays.
Loose fragments can break up and enter the joint.
This is another common cause and can usually be diagnosed on X-rays. Loose fragments can break up and enter the joint. This condition can be accurately diagnosed on X-ray. It is not as common as the above-mentioned conditions. A small area on the joint surface of the humerus dies and can wear loose and eventually fall into the joint.