I thought this was an interesting case to share with you as it illustrates the importance of fully examining a joint after a trauma. This young adult, large breed dog had presented to the local veterinarian after being hit by a car. It had luxated its elbow.
The veterinarian had successfully reduced the luxation and placed him in a spica bandage for 10 days. The dog did quite well, the elbow was stable and the dog happily used the limb; however, the dog had a constant mild (with rest) to moderate (with exercise) lameness. When I examined him, about 2 months after the original trauma, I found that he had a torn lateral collateral ligament.
Watch the video to see how this simple test is performed. We stabilized the elbow and he went on to do very well.
