Fragmented coronoid process of the elbow in a 10-year-old Belgian shepherd dog

In this case report, the presence of a fragmented coronoid process in a 10-year-old male Belgian shepherd dog is described. The signalment is atypical, since the disease mostly affects young dogs, and it less frequently occurs in Belgian shepherd dogs. The dog was presented with unilateral lameness of the left front limb, which had gradually worsened in the course of nine months. Further orthopedic and radiographic examinations revealed a definitive diagnosis of a fragmented coronoid process. Except for an abnormal form of the medial coronoid process and severe osteosclerosis, there was only a mild osteoarthrosis, which is not expected in an old dog with a chronic problem. Moreover, it was a unilateral problem, whereas a fragmented coronoid process is frequently presented as a bilateral disorder. Using arthroscopy, the joint was inspected and the loose fragment was successfully removed. Mostly, older animals remain lame after the procedure, but in this case, the procedure yields an obvious clinical improvement, and the dog was clearly improved.