Elbow Dysplasia
What is Elbow Dysplasia?
Elbow Dysplasia (ED) is an inherited developmental condition affecting the elbow joint. It is one of the most common causes of front leg lameness in young and adult dogs.
Rather than being a single disease, Elbow Dysplasia describes a group of conditions that prevent the elbow joint from developing normally. Over time, these abnormalities can lead to pain, reduced mobility and the development of osteoarthritis.
Like Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia is influenced by both inherited genetics and environmental factors.
What Causes Elbow Dysplasia?
The development of Elbow Dysplasia is influenced by a combination of:
Genetics
Inherited factors play a significant role in the development of healthy elbow joints. Selecting breeding dogs with good elbow scores can help reduce the risk of passing the condition to future generations.
Environment
Environmental factors can also influence joint development, including:
Rapid growth.
Excessive body weight.
Over-exercise during development.
Injury.
Good management during puppyhood supports healthy joint development but cannot eliminate inherited risk.
Signs of Elbow Dysplasia
Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the condition.
Signs may include:
Front leg lameness.
Stiffness after exercise or rest.
Reduced willingness to exercise.
Difficulty rising.
Pain when the elbow is flexed or extended.
Reduced performance while working.
Some dogs show only very subtle signs, while others may continue working despite underlying joint changes.
How is Elbow Dysplasia Diagnosed?
The only reliable way to assess elbow health is through X-rays that are submitted to the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Elbow Dysplasia Scheme.
Dogs must be at least 12 months of age before they can receive an official elbow score.
Each dog receives a single overall elbow grade based on the highest scoring elbow.
Understanding Elbow Scores
The BVA Elbow Scoring Scheme grades elbows from:
| Grade | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0 | Normal elbows |
| 1 | Mild changes |
| 2 | Moderate changes |
| 3 | Severe changes |
Unlike hip scoring, where each hip receives an individual numerical score, elbow scoring uses a simple grading system from 0 to 3, with Grade 0 being the ideal result.
BATWK Recommendations
At present, elbow scoring is less common within the Australian Working Kelpie population than hip scoring or CA testing.
However, BATWK encourages breeders to consider elbow scoring wherever practical, particularly for dogs intended for breeding.
Recording elbow scores alongside pedigree information helps build a better understanding of elbow health within the breed and provides valuable information for future generations.
Recording Elbow Scores
BATWK encourages members to record official elbow scores within the BATWK registration database.
Breeder Members can upload official BVA Elbow Score Certificates directly through their Member Dashboard, allowing health information to be reviewed and recorded alongside each dog’s pedigree.
Recording elbow scores helps to:
Build valuable breed health data.
Support responsible breeding decisions.
Increase transparency for puppy buyers.
Preserve health information for future generations.
Improve our understanding of elbow health within the Working Kelpie population.
Looking Ahead
As more Working Kelpies are elbow scored, BATWK hopes to build a clearer picture of elbow health across the breed.
By encouraging members to record results—whether normal or abnormal—we can continue to make informed breeding decisions based on evidence and help safeguard the future health of the Australian Working Kelpie.