Triceps brachii tendon injury in four Pomeranians

Ryosuke ECHIGO, Atsushi FUJITA, Ryohei NISHIMURA, Manabu MOCHIZUKI

The cases of 4 Pomeranians with injury of the triceps brachii tendon that underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate some clinical findings including signalment, cause of injury, clinical signs, pattern of injury, surgical technique, external coaptation after operation, complications, and outcomes. While all of the dogs showed non-weight bearing posture of the affected limbs and severe pain shortly after injury onset, the pain level decreased over time. A characteristic finding of the 4 cases was an absence of tension in the triceps brachii tendon when the elbow joint was flexed. The pattern of triceps brachii tendon injury was either laceration of the central part of the tendon (n=1) or tendon rupture at its insertion to the olecranon (n=3). Although there were no major complications after surgery in 3 cases, the remaining case required a revision surgery. Long lateral splint was effective method for external coaptation after operation. Diagnosis of triceps brachii tendon injury was not difficult if we even recognize this trauma. This form of injury can have a good prognosis with adequate surgery and postoperative coaptation.