title: Scapulohumeral joint luxation in alpacas: 10 cases (2003-2009).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical findings, treatments, and outcome in alpacas treated for scapulohumeral joint luxation (SHJL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 alpacas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of alpacas with SHJL that were treated at 2 referral hospitals were reviewed. History, signalment, physical examination results, radiographic findings, treatments, complications, and outcome were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Records for 8 male and 2 female alpacas with 16 instances of SHJL were reviewed. Three male alpacas each had 2 recurrences of SHJL in the treated limb. The proportion of male alpacas treated for SHJL was significantly greater than the proportion of female alpacas treated for SHJL. Closed reduction was used in 2 female and 3 male alpacas; SHJL reccurred in the 3 males. Stabilization by use of a lateral extracapsular tension band suture technique was performed successfully in 4 male alpacas; in another male alpaca, reluxation caused by self-inflicted trauma occurred postoperatively. In 2 male alpacas, arthrodesis was performed but residual lameness remained 1 year after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SHJL should be considered as a differential diagnosis in alpacas with thoracic limb lameness. Luxation may occur more frequently in males. A closed reduction technique may be used successfully to treat acute luxations. Extracapsular stabilization by use of the lateral extracapsular tension band suture technique was successful for treatment of recurrent SHJL and SHJL that could not be reduced via closed reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. mroussea@vet.k-state.edu
authors.forename: Marjolaine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Matt D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Miesner
authors.forename: Kara L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Whitehead
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000662:veterinary; D002161:Camelids, New World; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007794:Lameness, Animal; D008297:Male; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery