|
Faunsdale, AL | Sounds more like a subchondral cyst in the bone. They are something you see on an x-ray and can cause the cartilage to break loose over the cyst. Probably are some of them that never cause any problem, just noone looks for them if the dog isn't lame. When the cartilage is undermined, the joint is painful and becomes inflamed and arthritis sets in.
Usually a problem that shows up in young fast growing dogs (labs etc are way over represented) which are fed to grow fast. They tend to get heavy faster than they get strong and their joints suffer. Like most things, moderation in feeding and growth rate tends to help prevent these. Most likely most of the juvenile bone and joint problems in dogs (hip displasia, osteochondrosis desicans OCD etc) are related to this.
Early surgery by arthroscope is going to have the best outcome. Unfortunately, there is no replacement for the damaged articular cartilage, it has to be removed and then fibrocartilage will fill in the defect and the pain will be pretty much eliminated. One other thing about arthroscopic surgery is that other damage to the joint that's not visible on an x-ray can be seen while they're in the joint. | |
|
Another dog question
