Elbow dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is abnormal development of the elbow in young, large, fast-growing dogs, most often Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Rottweilers¹. The most common form is disease of the medial coronoid process. Signs begin in puppyhood as front-leg lameness, stiffness after rest and pain when the elbow is flexed¹. Screening programmes have lowered its frequency in many breeds over the decades².

By the senior years, an affected elbow has usually become arthritic. Watch for stiffness after lying down, a shortened stride in front, and reluctance to go down stairs or jump out of the car. The same steps that help hips help elbows: lean body weight, steady exercise, soft footing and vet-guided pain control¹³.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet knows your dog.

Sources

1. Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed 2026-09-22.
2. Long-term genetic selection reduced prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia in 60 dog breeds (Oberbauer AM, Keller GG, Famula TR). PLoS One 12(2):e0172918, 2017 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
3. 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (Gruen ME, Lascelles BDX et al.). American Animal Hospital Association, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 58(2):55-76. Accessed 2026-09-22.