The sequelae of fragmented anconeal process (FAP) lesion in pigs: a radiologic, macroscopic and histopathological investigation.

Abstract

The development of the anconeal process its lesions and their sequelae were scrutinized during the follow-up radiographic study (every 5 months) of porcine osteochondrosis of elbow joint bones done in 80 Danish Landrace pigs from day 42 of age to 38 months of age. The anconeal process was observed radiologically to be ossified at the age of between 6 to 7 months. Normally it ossifies by pyramidal extension from the proximal ulna. However, fragmented/ separated anconeal process lesion was demonstrated in 15 pigs (the process was "ununited' with the rest of the proximal ulna). The diagnosis was confirmed in nine pigs at gross post-mortem and microscopically when the pigs were slaughtered due to other reasons than lameness of the front leg. These cases were interpreted as "fragmented/separated anconeal process' (FAP/SAP). This lesion showed a tendency to heal with increasing age. The lesions were healed in all surviving pigs at the age of 25-26 months.