Osteochondritis Dissecans

What Is Osteochondritis Dissecans?

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a developmental joint disease of young, fast-growing dogs. During growth, the cartilage on the surface of a joint normally turns into bone in an orderly way. In OCD this process goes wrong (a condition called osteochondrosis), leaving an area of cartilage that is too thick and poorly nourished. That cartilage can crack and lift away from the bone as a loose flap, which inflames the joint and causes lameness.

OCD most often affects the shoulder, followed by the elbow, stifle (knee) and hock (ankle). Both legs are frequently affected, even if the dog only limps on one.

Which Dogs Are at Risk?

• Large and giant breeds: Labrador and Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands and Mastiffs.
• Age: signs usually appear between 4 and 10 months of age, during the fastest growth.
• Sex: males are affected more often than females.
• Diet and growth rate: overfeeding calories and excess calcium in large-breed puppies speeds growth and raises risk. Genetics plays a major role too.

Signs to Watch For

• Lameness in a front or back leg that comes and goes, often worse after exercise or rest
• Stiffness when getting up
• A short, choppy stride or reluctance to run and play
• Joint swelling or pain when the joint is flexed
• Muscle loss in the affected leg over time

Because young dogs limp for many reasons, OCD is often confused with panosteitis (“growing pains”) or elbow dysplasia, which can occur in the same breeds and even in the same dog.

Diagnosis

Your vet will watch your puppy walk, feel each joint and check for pain on flexion. X-rays of both sides usually show a flattened or irregular area of bone under the cartilage. CT scans or arthroscopy (a small camera in the joint) may be needed for elbows and hocks, where lesions are harder to see. Vets often X-ray the opposite limb as well, since OCD is commonly bilateral.

Treatment

• Surgery: the standard treatment for a loose cartilage flap. The flap is removed and the damaged bone bed is cleaned, either by arthroscopy or open surgery. This lets healthy fibrocartilage fill the defect.
• Conservative care: very small lesions without a loose flap may be managed with strict rest, controlled leash walks, weight control and pain relief, with repeat X-rays.
• Rehabilitation: after surgery, a gradual exercise plan and physical therapy, such as hydrotherapy, help rebuild muscle.

Outlook

Shoulder OCD has an excellent outlook after surgery, and most dogs return to normal activity. Elbow, stifle and hock OCD carry a more guarded outlook, because some arthritis usually develops in the joint over time. Early treatment gives the best result.

Practical Tips for US Pet Owners

• Feed large-breed puppies a food labeled for large-breed growth, and do not add calcium supplements.
• Keep puppies lean. You should be able to feel the ribs easily.
• Avoid forced, repetitive exercise such as long runs beside a bike until growth plates close.
• Ask breeders whether parents have been screened for joint disease.
• Check whether your pet insurance covers hereditary and developmental conditions before signs appear.

Key Takeaways

• OCD is a developmental cartilage defect in young, large-breed dogs.
• The shoulder is most often affected; both sides are commonly involved.
• Surgery to remove the cartilage flap is the usual treatment.
• Controlled growth through diet and weight helps reduce risk.

FAQ

Can OCD heal on its own?
Small lesions without a loose flap sometimes heal with strict rest. Once a flap has separated, surgery is usually needed to stop pain and limit arthritis.

Do cats get osteochondritis dissecans?
It is very rare in cats. OCD is mainly a disease of growing large and giant breed dogs.

Should a dog with OCD be bred?
Most vets advise against it, because OCD has a strong inherited component.