Osteochondrosis dissecans in the dog - Therapeutic results of a retrospective study (1993-1998) considering the age of the patient, the duration of lameness and the pre- and postoperative clinical and radiographically findings

This investigation was conducted at the small animal clinic at the Free Uni versity Berlin on patients with OCD in their shoulder, elbow, stifle and ho ck joints, which had been examined and treated in the period between 1993 a nd 1998. Subsequent follow-up examinations were carried out on 91 joints. These exam inations took place over a period between three months and six years. In a total of 80 % of the cases an improvement in clinical function was observed after surgical treatment. From the study it can be concluded that patients with clinically and radiographically observed pathological changes should receive surgery as early as possible. The comparative assessment of the joi nt disorders illustrates that the success of treatment was determined both by age and the duration of lameness before the operation. The chances of re covery in these cases could be improved not only with regard to function bu t also to radiographic changes. This applied in particular to the elbow and hock joints, whereas the clinical function of the shoulder and stifle join ts was to a large extent independent of these radiographic findings.