The patient is a 4 year old Canine mixed dog with right forelimb lameness.Medial shoulder discomfort. Suspectd supraspinatus tendinopathy.
The patient is a 4 year old Canine mixed dog with right forelimb lameness.Medial shoulder discomfort. Suspectd supraspinatus tendinopathy.
Ultrasonographic findings
Right:
The biceps tendon is continuous, even in width and smooth in outline. The cross
section of the tendon is homogenous. The scant amount of fluid within the synovial
sheath of the biceps tendon is slightly more than compared with the left side but still
within normal limits. There is no synovial thickening. The bone surface of the
intertubercular bicipital groove is even.
A mild amount of osteophytes is seen circumferential to the humeral head as
appreciated.
The infraspinatus & supraspinatus muscle present with normal shape, volume and
echoarchitecture.
The infraspinatus tendon is thin and smooth in outline with regular fibre pattern. The
insertion to the bone reveals no abnormalities.
The right supraspinatus tendon is similar in echoarchitecture, width and volume
compared with the left. The outline of the tendon is even and smooth. The bone surface of the insertion at the major humeral tubercle is even and smooth. No calcification and
no abnormal accumulation of fluid is noted. There is no evidence of supraspinatus
impingement onto the biceps tendon.
Left:
The findings of the left biceps, infra- and supraspinatus muscles and tendons parallel
the findings of the right side and are within normal limits.
The only abnormality noted is an emerging osteophyte at the humeral head appreciated
on the lateral aspect here.
The findings do not support the presence
of right supraspinatus tendinopathy.
The right shoulder joint reveals signs of mild chronic osteoarthrosis. On the left side
signs of emerging degenerative joint disease are noted.
The underlying cause of the lameness and degenerative joint disease is not evident.
Note that shoulder joint instability – such as in shoulder joint dysplasia or
biomechanical failure of the glenohumeral ligaments – cannot be ruled out
ultrasonographically and warrants other diagnostic tests such as clinical examination
w/wo sedation and radiography. Other possible underlying causes – such as
osteochondrosis – should be ruled out radiographically if not performed yet.
