Osteochondritis is an ossification problem that occurs during the development of an animal, generally less than one year old. A small area of the bone remains cartilaginous at the subchondral level (located under the joint cartilage). This abnormal cartilage is predisposed to trauma, and it can fissure and become detached, resulting in osteochondritis dissecans.
This problem is often encountered among large breed puppies and is considered rare among small breed dogs and among cats.
The cause has not yet been well established; however, this disease is considered multifactorial, implicating genetic and environmental factors.
- The affected joints are the shoulder, the elbow, the knee, and the tarsus (heel)
- The clinical signs are pain and joint swelling, lameness, and muscular atrophy.
If your young pet has these clinical signs, X-rays will be recommended in order to evaluate the bone at the joint level and to check for the presence of osteoarthritis.
Open surgery or arthroscopy is recommended for this condition. It consists of joint exploration and curetting of the affected area.The prognosis is good for the shoulder lesions, but it is guarded for the other joints.
If your pet requires specialized surgery that cannot be performed in your hospital, we will transfer its file to one of our specialized surgeons working at the Centre Vétérinaire Rive-Sud, the Centre Vétérinaire Laval or at the Hôpital Vétérinaire Centre-Ville Montréal