Fragmented medial coronoid process
FCP — a small piece of bone on the inner edge of the ulna fragments and breaks away inside the joint.
Understanding your dog's health
What is Elbow Dysplasia?
A developmental joint condition where the elbow doesn't form quite as it should — what goes wrong inside the joint, the signs to watch for, and how we can help alongside your vet.
The basics
Elbow dysplasia is a developmental joint disease — the joint doesn't form correctly while your dog is growing.
The elbow is made up of three bones — the humerus, the radius and the ulna. For the joint to work smoothly, all three need to grow perfectly in sync.
If they don't, the joint becomes incongruent — the surfaces no longer meet evenly. That creates abnormal pressure on small areas of bone, and over time it causes damage.
Inside the joint
Three bones that must grow in sync.
Under the umbrella
Elbow dysplasia is an umbrella term.
Several distinct conditions sit beneath it — a dog may have one, or more than one:
Ununited anconeal process
UAP — a bony process at the back of the elbow fails to fuse to the ulna as the dog grows.
Osteochondritis dissecans
OCD of the humeral condyle — cartilage on the end of the humerus doesn't develop properly and separates.
Elbow incongruity
A radius–ulna mismatch — the two bones don't line up, so the joint surfaces no longer meet evenly.
Signs to watch for
What elbow dysplasia can look like.
Forelimb lameness, often worse after exercise
Stiffness after rest and on rising
Head-bob gait
Outward-turning paws
Elbows held at odd angles
Reduced range of motion
Swollen elbows in severe cases
Less keen to jump, run or play
Signs of pain when touched
About that head-bob. A dog with a sore forelimb shifts weight away from it as they walk, which shortens and tightens the muscles through the neck. It's one of the patterns hands-on myotherapy can help ease.
What it leads to
Both dysplasias lead to arthritis.
As with hip dysplasia, a joint that carries abnormal pressure year after year will develop osteoarthritis. That's why easing the load early, and keeping the surrounding muscle healthy, matters so much.
How we can help
Gentle support, alongside your vet.
A vet-led plan for elbow dysplasia often includes weight management, controlled exercise, hydrotherapy and anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Alongside that, these gentle therapies can help keep your dog comfortable and moving:
Galen Myotherapy
Eases the compensatory muscle tension that builds up through the shoulders and neck when a dog offloads a sore elbow.
Explore myotherapyClass IV Laser Therapy
Reduces inflammation and pain in the joint, supports tissue repair and improves blood flow.
Explore laser therapyMobility Therapy
Controlled, targeted exercises to maintain range of motion and rebuild strength.
Read the guideA note on this guide. It's for general education and isn't a diagnosis. Our therapies complement veterinary treatment rather than replacing it, and we can work alongside your vet if required. Hydrotherapy and medication are part of a vet's plan, not services we provide.
Where this is offered. Treatment takes place on your own floor, on your dog's own bed, which matters more than it sounds for a dog guarding a sore front leg. I cover Estepona through La Duquesa to Sotogrande, with travel within 15 km of La Duquesa included.
Common questions
Elbow dysplasia, briefly answered.
What is elbow dysplasia in dogs?
A developmental joint disease where the elbow does not form correctly during growth. The elbow is made of three bones — the humerus, radius and ulna — and all three must grow in sync. If they do not, the joint becomes incongruent and the surfaces no longer meet evenly.
What conditions come under elbow dysplasia?
It is an umbrella term. It covers elbow incongruity (a step between radius and ulna), fragmented coronoid process (FCP), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the humeral condyle, and ununited anconeal process (UAP).
What does elbow dysplasia look like in a dog?
Forelimb lameness that is often worse after exercise, stiffness after rest and on rising, a head-bob gait, outward-turning paws, elbows held at odd angles, reduced range of motion, swollen elbows in severe cases, less interest in jumping or playing, and signs of pain when touched.
Can therapy help a dog with elbow dysplasia?
Uneven joint surfaces create abnormal pressure on small areas of bone, and dogs shift their weight to avoid it. Gentle hands-on therapy addresses the muscular consequences of that compensation, working alongside your vet rather than replacing their care.
Noticed your dog favouring a front leg?
If your vet has diagnosed elbow dysplasia and you'd like to talk about gentle, choice-led therapy to keep your dog comfortable, I'm here to help.
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