Humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF) is a condition in which there is a weakness in the humeral condyle – part of the elbow joint in the forelimb. In the past it was called incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC), implying it was associated with growing, but in most dogs it is a form of stress fracture, hence the name change.

This condition can result in a very serious sudden-onset complete fracture of the humeral condyle but it can also cause a low-grade persistent lameness without complete fracture. It is often hard to diagnose – and it may take assessment by a specialist and a CT scan to do so. It can affect many different breeds, but HIF is most commonly found in spaniels, especially English Springer Spaniels.