Lameness in dogs may be difficult to localize because of mild pathologic changes or inconclusive clinical findings. Intra-articular anesthesia is proposed as a diagnostic method to localize the source of lameness. After a description of the preparation, technique and puncture sites, an overview is given of a series of patients admitted for different joint problems. Intra-articular anesthesia proved to be applicable in any joint, provided that the clinician was experienced and the dog was under sedation. In 87% of the cases, intra-articular anesthesia was positive. Medial coronoid disease of the elbow joint was the most frequent indication for intra-articular anesthesia.