Osteochondritis Dissecans, also known as OCD, is a condition that can happen in the joints. OCD most commonly occurs in the fetlock, hock and stifle, as well as the neck, shoulders, elbows. Without getting too deep into the complicated medical details and language, let’s first breakdown what the term means. First, osteo means bone, and chondritis comes from the word chondro which stands for cartilage. Dissecans means that it’s starting to become separated, dissecting underneath.
When it comes to the function of any joint, there needs to be smooth sliding and lubrication between the joint, and that comes from the cartilage and the form of the bone. OCD prevents that joint from sliding and can result in lameness. It also can create a lot of fluid in the joint as well. OCD is a treatable condition with surgery, but sometimes surgery is not always needed in some cases. Typically it is easier to do surgery once you clean the surface of the joint, the area becomes smooth again and the horse is able to move with ease and excellent athletic performance.
If you want to learn more information on this topic go to: https://equinearthritis.info/
