Principles
The PAUL technique was developed on the basis of multiple observations and biomechanical analyses of the canine elbow joint.
- A consequence of medial compartment disease, a subset of elbow dysplasia, is medial collapse of the contact mechanics of the elbow joint.
- Medial collapse overloads the medial compartment, exacerbating existing lameness and joint pain.
- A slight abduction, by four to six degrees, of the ulna results in an unloading of the medial compartment, alleviating pain.
Procedure
The PAUL involves an osteotomy of the proximal portion of the ulna. A specially designed ALPS PAUL plate is fixed to impose a corrective limb alignment, aimed at unloading the medial compartment. This new alignment unloads the medial compartment, alleviating lameness, stiffness, and joint pain.
Publications
Bruecker K, Benjamino K, Vezzoni A, Walls C, Wendelburg K, Follette C, Dejardin L, Guillou R
Canine Elbow Dysplasia: Medial Compartment Disease and Osteoarthritis
Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2021 Mar. DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13425
Amadio A, Corriveau K, Norby B, Stephenson T, Sauders W
Effect of proximal abducting ulnar osteotomy (PAUL) on frontal plane thoracic limb alignment: An ex vivo canine study.
Veterinary Surgery. 2020;1–12. DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.12.008
Starke A, Böttcher P, Pfeil I.
[Comparative radiologic examination of the canine elbow with and without elbow dysplasia under standardized load].
[Article in German] Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2014;42(3):141-50.
Starke A, Böttcher P, Pfeil I.
[Radiologic quantification of the elbow conformation with a new method for acquiring standardized x-rays under load. Reference values for medium sized and large dogs without dysplasia of the elbow joint].
[Article in German] Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2013;41(3):145-54.
1Tierärztliche Klinik Dresdner Heide, Dresden. nestarkenachricht@msn.com
Fitzpatrick N1, Yeadon R, Smith T, Schulz K.
Techniques of application and initial clinical experience with sliding humeral osteotomy for treatment of medial compartment disease of the canine elbow.
Vet Surg. 2009 Feb;38(2):261-78. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2008.00493.x.
1Fitzpatrick Referrals, Eashing, UK. noelF@fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk
Mason DR1, Schulz KS, Fujita Y, Kass PH, Stover SM.
Measurement of humeroradial and humeroulnar transarticular joint forces in the canine elbow joint after humeral wedge and humeral slide osteotomies.
Vet Surg. 2008 Jan;37(1):63-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2007.00349.x.
1JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Mason DR1, Schulz KS, Fujita Y, Kass PH, Stover SM.
In vitro force mapping of normal canine humeroradial and humeroulnar joints.
Am J Vet Res. 2005 Jan;66(1):132-5.
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Fujita Y1, Schulz KS, Mason DR, Kass PH, Stover SM.
Effect of humeral osteotomy on joint surface contact in canine elbow joints.
Am J Vet Res. 2003 Apr;64(4):506-11.
1Department of Surgical and Radiological Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.