Lifespan and Causes of Death in the Irish Wolfhound - Vetsuisse ...

3.9.1.2 Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the affected joint(s) and/or growth plate(s), as well as on the
presence of concurrent degenerative joint disease (DJD). A history of lameness of
varying degrees that becomes worse after exercise is usually present; the patient
may put little weight on the affected limb (Schwarz and Shires 2004 a).
3.9.1.3 Diagnosis
During orthopaedic examination, pain can usually be provoked by flexion, extension
or rotation of the affected joint. Joint effusion and capsular distension may also be
present. Muscle atrophy can develop in certain cases.
Radiography is the main means of diagnosis and usually shows sclerosis of the
underlying bone (may be discrete), exostostoses and incongruencies depending on
the affected joint. Comparison with the contralateral joint can also be useful for
diagnosis.
Synovial fluid analysis shows decreased viscosity and >10'000 nucleated cells per μl,
of which >90% should be mononuclear. OCD lesions can also be identified and
removed during arthroscopy.
Differential diagnoses include trauma and/or intra-articular fractures, septic arthritis,
panosteitis, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, avulsion or calcification of flexor muscles in
elbow dysplasia, and synovial cell tumours. These can usually be differentiated
through radiography and synovial fluid analysis (Schwarz and Shires 2004 a).
3.9.1.4 Therapy
Uncomplicated articular OC is not directly treatable. Affected dogs should receive
exercise restriction and reduced caloric intake to promote slower growth.
Furthermore, NSAIDs can be given for pain control (may interfere with exercise
restriction), and chondroprotective drugs such as glycosaminoglycanes,
glucosamine, or chondroitin sulphate may be given to prevent further damage and
degeneration of cartilage (Schwarz and Shires 2004 a).
OCD should be addressed surgically by removal of the lose cartilage flap through
arthrotomy or arthroscopy. Abrasion of the underlying bone to promote repair through
fibrous cartilage formation is discussed controversially (Brunnberg, Burger et al.
2005).
Elbow dysplasia due to short radius/short ulna syndrome can be addressed through
dynamic osteotomy in order to re-establish an anatomically correct elbow joint
conformation. While it is generally agreed that a fractured coronoid process should
be removed, it is controversial whether a fractured anconeal process should be
removed or re-attached during the procedure (Schwarz and Shires 2004 b;
Brunnberg, Burger et al. 2005).
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