Arthroscopic treatment of an incomplete avulsion fracture of the supraglenoid tuberosity in a dog

A thirteen month-old, female English Setter was referred for a non-weight-bearing lameness of the left thoracic limb. Clinical and radiographic findings were consistent with a left supraglenoid tubercle incomplete fracture. The anamnesis reported a lameness arising 5 months earlier after a traumatic injury. After a period of conservative treatment, lameness had not resolved. Clinical examination revealed grade 3/5 lameness and pain on manipulation of the shoulder joint. Medio-lateral radiographic projection revealed a distinct irregular radiolucent line between the greater tubercle and the glenoid. An arthroscopic examination was performed and a careful and complete debridement and revitalisation of the subchondral bone was performed. As reported in the literature, a rigid compressive internal fixation is usually indicated when a joint is involved, but, in the case presented herein, the dog's history and young age led us to believe that a minimally-invasive treatment should be satisfactory. Radiographic controls were carried out at 3, 6, 16 and 19 months following the surgical procedure, revealing a complete fusion and regular margins of the supraglenoid tubercle. Clinical signs of lameness resolved definitively at 3 months after surgical treatment. To the best of the Authors' knowledge, cases of incomplete avulsion fracture of the supraglenoid tuberosity managed with arthroscopic surgery have not been described.