Osteochondritis dissecans in the dog: diagnosis and therapy.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a manifestation of osteochondrosis. It is thought to be a metabolic disease of cartilage maturation and endochondral ossification. Therefore, any disturbance affecting the differentiation of growth cartilage constitutes osteochondrosis. When this disturbance affects the articular cartilage so that a piece detaches, it is called OCD. Osteochondritis dissecans is well recognized but poorly understood. The etiology remains controversial. Osteochondritis dissecans is most commonly recognized in the shoulder but can occur in other areas which makes it difficult to differentiate from other disease entities. Diagnosis of OCD is based on signalment (age, breed, and sex), history, and physical and radiographic evidence. Therapy must be individualized and based on the patient's clinical signs and not on the severity of the radiographic lesion. Therapy can be effective only when applied correctly.