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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Osteochondritis dissecans causing shoulder pain in two small dogs

By Bruggeman, M et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2010·Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral head in two small-breed dogs.

Species:
dog
Movement & jointsDogs

Plain-English summary

A small-breed dog was diagnosed with shoulder problems caused by a condition called osteochondritis dissecans, which involves a flap of cartilage coming loose in the joint. The vet confirmed the diagnosis using X-rays and a procedure called arthroscopy, where they looked inside the joint. Both dogs underwent surgery to remove the loose cartilage, and they recovered well afterward. Follow-up exams showed that the treatment was successful, and the dogs were likely to feel much better without the painful cartilage flaps.

People also search for: dog shoulder pain small breed · osteochondritis dissecans treatment · dog surgery for shoulder problems

Abstract

Shoulder pathology consistent with osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral head was diagnosed in two small-breed dogs. In both cases, the diagnosis was made tentatively on the basis of radiography and confirmed by arthroscopy of the affected shoulder joint. Both dogs were successfully treated by surgical removal of a flap of cartilage from the affected area. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was available in both cases. The excised cartilage flaps were examined histopathologically and showed the same characteristics as cartilage flaps from dogs of large breeds prone to developing osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20118471/