Fragmented coronoid process in the dog: A heritable disease

Fragmented coronoid process (FCP) is one of the main diseases associated with elbow dysplasia. FCP is often diagnosed in medium-to-large breed dogs with front leg lameness, for instance in Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers and Bernese Mountain dogs. Dogs with FCP develop osteoarthrosis of the elbow joint despite conservative or surgical treatment. Although FCP is considered a hereditary condition, the gene or genes causing FCP have yet to be identified. This article provides an overview of different aspects of FCP, including elbow joint development, hypotheses about disease pathogenesis, the genetic background of FCP, and genetic methodology to identify gene or genes responsible for FCP.