OSTEOCHONDRITIS DISSECANS (OCD) What is OCD? Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) or osteochondrosis is a failure of the bone underlying the smooth articular cartilage inside the joints, i.e. the subchondral bone, to form properly from the skeleton’s cartilage template. This weakness results in cracking and fissure formation in the articular cartilage, when the foal, yearling or young horse takes weight on its joints during exercise. Flaps and fragments of cartilage consequently form within the joint, some of which are transformed from cartilage into bone and are termed ‘joint mice’. Chemicals that cause joint inflammation (synovitis) are released during the development of the flaps and fragments, or as a consequence of exercise on the abnormal surfaces. The affected joints may become visibly enlarged and distended with fluid and the horse may become lame, but there is no doubt that many cases never show symptoms of abnormality, are never recognised and resolve in time of their own accord.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 04:13:46 +0000
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