Osteoarthritis

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Also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), this is a chronic joint disease where the hyaline cartilage at the end of the bones is worn away over time causing inflammation and soreness, and a thickening of the joint capsule causing the joint to stiffen.  This then stimulates new bone to form in a rough and misshapen way, further causing pain and limb dysfunction.

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This is normally seen as a part of the ageing process in older dogs, however, younger dogs can also suffer with the condition if they have another underlying dysfunction (such as conformation irregularities, pre-existing conditions like hip/elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament disease or patella dislocation.  Other causes that can lead to the onset of osteoarthritis include excessive exercise, diet and overweight dogs, gender and living environment.

 

The following symptoms may be seen in a dog with osteoarthritis:

• Lameness/limping

• Stiff when getting up from resting

• Crepitus or creaking of the joints

• Reluctant to jump in/out of car

• Slowing down on walks

• Pain/Inflammation of the joint

• Restless/irritable

• Lick granuloma(obsessively licking)/nibbling over the site of the arthritis e.g. wrist

Spondylosis

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Spondylosis is a degenerative disease of the spine that affects the vertebral column where bony spurs develop on the underside or sides of the vertebrae.  These bony growths can occur in one or more locations along the spine and are sometimes large enough to form a complete bridge that fuses or links several vertebral bones together.  This results in a lack of spinal mobility.

This is generally considered to be part of the ageing process in dogs.  It was once thought more common in medium/large breed dogs (German Shepherds and Boxers) or breeds with a long back (Dachshunds) but it is now accepted that any middle aged to older dog (9 years plus) can be affected.
It can also occur as a result of a secondary problem, like intervertebral disc disease, or from spinal trauma or surgery, as well as with breeds that may be genetically predisposed to the condition.

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Common symptoms of spondylosis include:

• Stiffness

• Hopping or the back end being thrown out

• Reduced range of motion

• Lameness

• Back/neck pain

• Character change e.g. not wanting contact with other dogs, guarding their back from other dogs

• Resistant to touch along the back

• Numbness and weakness in the limbs  

• Ataxia (loss of co-ordination)

Luxating Patella

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A luxating patella is when the patella (knee cap) dislocates out of the trochlea groove (a groove at the end of the femur that the patella normally sits in) meaning that the dog cannot properly extend the knee joint, leading to lameness from the mechanical failure but later pain and osteoarthritis.

There are a variety of causes that can lead to a luxating patella, the main one being genetics, either as a result of selective breeding of bow-legged breeds, such as dachshunds and basset hounds, or due to breed predisposition for many small/toy breeds.  However, injuries/trauma to the stifle area, walking on slippery floors or constantly standing on hind limbs can all cause the patella to be pulled out of place.

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Common symptoms of a luxating patella include:

 

• Hopping/skipping on the affected limb

• Yelp as the dislocation happens, with a clicking sound in the knee joint.  

• Holding up the affected leg to try and encourage the patella to realign itself into the trochlea groove

• Extension of their leg backwards but then unable to flex the leg back to its normal position

• Pain and swelling

• Lameness

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Hip Dysplasia

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Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that occurs during the growth stage in the early years of a dog’s life.  Normal growth patterns should see uniform growths rates of both the ball (head of the femur) and socket (acetabulum) in the hip joint of the pelvis, but with hip dysplasia this uniform growth does not happen, leading to a shallow socket and a flattened, deformed shaped ball.  This leads to laxity (loosening) of the joint causing malfunction and pain.  Over time, secondary degenerative disease will set in (osteoarthritis, muscular atrophy and mobility issues).  Hip dysplasia can occur in one joint or both hip joints.

 

The main cause is genetics and is often seen in large breed dogs (German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers), although smaller breeds can also be affected.  Other external/environmental factors can also have an affect such as diet, exercise, environment, growth rate, muscle mass and hormones.  Sometimes, trauma, such as a collision or fall can lead to dysplasia.  

 

Common symptoms of hip dysplasia include:

• Difficulty rising from lying or sitting positions

• Sitting/lying in “frog” position – joint laxity (characteristic of early disease)

• Reluctance to run, jump, climb stairs

• Pain when touched or trying to nibble or lick your fingers when you touch around the hips

• Bunny hopping or a swaying gait (rear end moves back and forth in pronounced fashion)

• Stiffness

• Grating detected with joint movement (crepitus)

• Enlargement of shoulder muscles due to more weight being placed on front legs as the dog tries to avoid weight bearing on its hind legs

Elbow Dysplasia

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Elbow dysplasia occurs during the growth stage in the early years of a dog’s life, leading to the malformation of the elbow joint and leads to abnormal weigh distribution, pain and arthritis.  If the bones within the joint start to develop in an abnormal way during puppyhood, the three bones associated with the joint (humerus/radius/ulna) will not fit together properly and cause problems with the development of the cartilage on the bone surfaces.  This will in turn lead to osteoarthritis and sometimes fractures within the joint that need to be managed separately.

This condition is primarily genetic and is more commonly seen in some of the larger breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds, but the disease is not breed specific.  Some environmental factors can also trigger the disease, such as obesity as a puppy.

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Common symptoms of elbow dysplasia include:

 

• Foreleg lameness

• Standing ‘bow legged’

• Stiffness

• Flopping to the floor rather than a controlled down

• Reluctant to exercise

• Joint thickening/swelling

• Difficulty in navigating stairs

• Reluctant to jump out of car

Cruciate Ligament Damage

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Cruciate ligament damage is a painful and immobilising orthopaedic problem that affects the knee (stifle) of the dog.  Damage can occur that will either partially or fully rupture the ligament primarily as a result of the ligaments degenerating over time, similar to a fraying rope, although damage can occur from sudden trauma too.  Once the ligaments have been damaged the stifle becomes ‘wobbly’ and painful. 

The two main causes of cruciate ligament damage are:
Degeneration over time weakens the ligament due to repeated trauma or arthritic changes.  
Sudden trauma from the sudden twisting of the stifle when the dog suddenly changes direction.  

Common symptoms of cruciate ligament damage include:

• Lame/Limping

• Crying out in pain

• Unable to weight bear equally/not weight bearing at all

• Inflammation/swelling/heat around the joint

Osteochrondritis Dessicans (OCD)

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Osteochrondritis Dessicans (OCD) is an inflammatory disease where the bone of a joint (shoulder, stifle, hip and hock) does not grow properly.  It commonly affects large or giant breed dogs that grow rapidly in puppyhood.  OCD will develop when the normal process of bone growth fails, creating a thickened piece of cartilage and a deformed joint.  Movement of the joint can then lead to cracks or splits appearing in the cartilage that may pull loose forming a flap.  This further impacts movement, irritates the surrounding tissue and causes pain and inflammation.  The flap of cartilage can then separate from the bone entirely and become stuck in the joint.

 

The precise cause of this disease is unknown but it is generally accepted that any dog can develop it. 

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Some common theories as to the cause include:

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• An inherited genetic disorder, although not all dogs that have a predisposition will go on to develop the condition.

• Diet  - where an excess of calcium or calories is given

• Exercise - where too much exercise can damage the development of cartilage on the end of a bone

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Common symptoms of OCD include:

• Stiffness and soreness when rising 

• Lameness in the affected leg 

• Joint may be warm and swollen

• Cry out if the affected joint is palpated 

• Uneven weight bearing of the limbs

• Scuffing of nails on the affected leg due to reduced range of movement in the affected limb

• Muscular atrophy (wastage)

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How can massage help with orthopaedic conditions?

Lymphatic drainage helps reduce inflammation around joints
Releases endorphins which assist in pain relief, improving quality of life
Relieves tension build up and significantly relieve soreness
Helps strengthen muscles and improve flexibility
Helps the compensating limb tension and encourages the dog to use all four limbs equally
Assists in mobility and enable the dog to enjoy normal exercise
Removes spasms and triggers that have formed