As we continue to discuss OCD, Osteochondritis Dissecans, a disease that happens in the joints of the horse, here is what you need to know about OCD in the hock joint.
Hock OCD is quite common and can range from non-threatening and not cause any lameness in the horse, to particular scenarios where it can become quite destructive. Specifically with one form of hock OCD referred to as “joint mouse” where the OCD dislodges, moves around, and causes damage and fragmentation to the cartilage in the joint. This can eventually lead to arthritis in the horse.
There are some smaller areas where OCD in the hock could occur where treatment might not be needed, like on the lateral trochlear ridge, but in most cases it is recommended to remove it with surgery. One of the best ways to diagnose this is through taking a radiograph, evaluating the clinical signs and then talking to a surgeon. Another great way we have found is to also do an ultrasound to see if the cartilage surface has any breaks in it. It is better to take care of the problem sooner rather than later, which is why most surgeons remove hock OCD right away, typically with positive results in the horse.
If you’d like to learn more about OCD and see our information, studies and radiographs, on this topic visit www.equinearthritis.info.
