Osteochondritis Dissecans (Osteochondrosis)

Osteochondrosis is a defect in bone development, seen in young, rapidly growing, large-breed animals. In dogs, the most common form of osteochondrosis is called osteochondritis dissecans, a defect in bone development occurring at the extremity of a bone.

Osteochondritis dissecans is most commonly diagnosed in the shoulder joint of dogs. Other joints affected by osteochondritis dissecans include the elbow, knee and the ankle.

Symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans generally appear at 6 - 9 months of age. Lameness is the major symptom, however it is not always obvious. Male dogs are more commonly affected than female dogs.

In osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder joint, a small flap of cartilage becomes detached from the head of the humerus. This free-floating piece of cartilage and the corresponding lesion on the head of the femur can often be seen in an x-ray of the shoulder joint. These lesions are characteristic for osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder joint in dogs.

X-rays of the affected shoulder are necessary for diagnosing osteochondritis dissecans. Very often, distinct x-ray lesions are not seen, and a diagnosis is not made until surgery.

Surgery is the treatment of choice for osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder joint. The detached cartilaginous flap (fragment) is removed and the defect in the femur is repaired.

Results from this surgery are excellent. Complete recovery occurs in most cases.

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