Better information makes for healthier horses,
Horseadvice.com is where equine science and horse sense intersect.

Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD) in Horses
  • Osteochondrosis (OC)
  • Osteochondritis Dessicans (OCD)
  • Subchondral Bone Cysts (SBC)

  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Introduction

Introduction » Causes of Osteochondrosis (OC, OCD, and Bone Fragments) » Clinical Signs & Diagnosis » Treatment » Prognosis » Prevention of OC in Horses » More Info 

Developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) is a general term for any of the diseases of the musculoskeletal system that occurs during development and growth. This may occur in the fetus or the growing horse and may involve joints or other structures. Osteochondrosis (OC), a type of DOD, is a term for any of a group of diseases of the growth plates or ossification centers in the joints of young horses. Generally there are three forms of OC that are differentiated by their radiographic appearance. To try and make all these letters sensible, here it is in outline form:
  • Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD)
    • Angular deformities these are legs crooked when viewed from the front.
    • Flexural deformities are legs that appear contracted or weak when viewed from the side.
    • Physeal Dysplasia (Physitis) are legs that have swellings around the joints.
    • Ostechondrosis
      • Osteochondritis dissecans: defects in the cartilage surface.
      • Subchondral bone cysts: defects in the bone underneath the joint.
      • intraarticular bone fragments: also called joint mice, they are small pieces of bone or calcified cartilage in the joint space.
Osteochondrosis type diseases are all characterized by degeneration or necrosis of small parts of the epiphysis. This degeneration is sometimes followed by abnormal re-ossification.

All of the diseases under the term OC are defects that create weakness in the joint. When the weakness is such that exercise causes further trauma and damage lameness results. The symptoms of OC can be variable, with some cases causing no problems. Other cases can result in permanent lameness. OC is a lameness of young, growing horses. Usually the onset of lameness is subtle, becoming more obvious as the horse begins working. This article contains possible causes, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and has links to forum discussions and other resources on the Internet.
      ~Word Count: 4906 words (The average magazine page contains about 600 words);
      ~Last Updated: September 08, 2009;

There are 2 ways to access the complete article:

You have just read the introduction to one of our nearly 800 articles on horse care, diseases, and training. It includes a description of the contents of the unabridged version. As a guest you can access this article two different ways: either purchase the article or become a member and take advantage of all the benefits Horseadvice.com has to offer. Check out our Membership Drive Discount below but hurry. This is for a limited time!
BBB Reliability Seal Your assurance of excellent customer service.
128 bit SSL encryption We use 128 bit SSL encryption, so your order is secure.

#1: Article Purchase: $7 US for instant access to the unabridged article.

We guarantee your satisfaction or we will refund the purchase price:

#2 Join Horseadvice: for as little as $4 US a month you get instant access to this article and one of the finest equine resources in the world!

During our membership drive we will waive our 10$ Join Fee!

Full Access with No Posting: 4$ US a month

  • Recommended to those who wish to have full access to one of the finest equine resources, including articles and discussions, but does not feel the need to post to the discussion boards.
  • 14$ 4$ US to join which includes the first month. Membership automatically renews monthly for 4$ US. You may cancel anytime online.
Full Access Membership
Price: 14$ US
Membership Drive Price: 4$ US
(includes first month access)

Full Access with Discussion Posting: 7$ US a month

  • Recommended to those who wish to have full access to one of the finest equine resources anywhere and engage an equine veterinarian and experienced horsefolks with questions and discussions on all aspects of horses and horsemanship.
  • 31$ 21$ US to join, which includes the first 3 months. Membership then automatically renews monthly for 7$ US. You may cancel anytime online.
Full Service Membership
Price: 31$ US
Membership Drive Price: 21$ US
(includes 3 months service)

Uncertain if you want to become part of one of the finest most up-to-date equine resources in the world? Click Here for More Information!

Discussions on OCD and DOD in Horses
  Titles Subtopics Posts Updated
iconResearch Study: Gene found associated with OCDSep 23, 09
iconBiaxial bone cysts in the insertion of the collateral ligaments 25 Jun 9, 09
iconResearch Study: Shoulder OCNov 19, 08
iconResearch Summary: Strong Support for OCD PathogenesisNov 20, 08
icon4 Year Old Diagnosed with OCD in both HocksNov 9, 08
iconFloating bone spur in 2 year old 15 Aug 12, 08
icon4 Year Old Gelding Diagnosed with OCD Lesion - Supplements?12 Aug 2, 08
iconResearch Summary: Prevalence of OCD in South German ColdbloodsJul 9, 08
iconSubchondral Bone Cyst in Coffin boneJun 14, 08
iconOCD surgery, no lameness but bog spavin remains?Mar 28, 08
iconResearch Summary: Early Predicition of Osteochondrosis Problems Mar 12, 08
iconResearch Summary: Blood tests for osteochondrosis (OC)Feb 6, 08
iconOCD and performance HorseJul 19, 07
iconSold a filly 9 months ago and it was recently dx OCD10 May 30, 07
iconResearch Summary: Causes of OCDMay 1, 07
iconNutrition of yearling warmblood colt after OCD surgery.Jan 29, 07
iconGristle/ ocdJan 23, 07
icon16 month old with ocdSep 4, 06
iconAdequan loading?Aug 24, 06
iconFetlock swelling in a 2 year oldJul 11, 06
iconArthritis secondary to OCDJul 1, 06
iconOC incidence the effects of genetics and size 15 Feb 20, 06
iconOCD in poniesJan 19, 06
iconOcd horse still lame after surgery on fetlock jointJan 9, 06
iconOCD, Stringhalt & supplementsAug 29, 06
iconGrowing incidence of developmental problems in foalsOct 5, 05
iconPrognosis in surgically corrected OCD without lameness?Jan 18, 06
iconAccuracy of radiograph in diagnosing OCD?Feb 19, 06
iconAge related prognosis of surgery on SC lesions in the stifleMay 23, 05
iconInfluence of starch intake on skeletal developmentMay 17, 05
iconPrognosis for 3 yr old after hock OCD surgeryMar 3, 05
iconJoint Supplement recommendation for OCDOct 5, 04
iconFinding a specialist to do surgey for OCD?Feb 16, 04
iconHow long to wait before surgery?Dec 2, 03
iconOCD & nutrition confusion! Help!Mar 21, 05
iconTime frame/age in which OCD will probably not need surgery?Jul 13, 03
iconOCD treatment other than Surgery12 Apr 11, 00
iconDiagnosing OCD via scope?10 Dec 29, 02
iconCow hocksOct 3, 02
iconHock OCD in 1 1/2 month warmblood filly13 Aug 18, 04
iconArchived DiscussionsClick link to access data.
Before posting be sure to review the articles on your topic and preexisting discussions to see if your question has been answered.

Start a New Discussion
Home Page | Todays Discussions | Search | Top of Page Administration
  http://www.horseadvice.com
is The Horseman's Advisor
Helping Thousands of Equestrians, Farriers, and Veterinarians Every Day
All rights reserved, © 2009
BBB Reliability Seal