Osteoarthritis

Question 1

What are the 3 different types of cartilage disease in animals

Answer 1

• degenerative non-inflammatory (osteoarthritis)
• inflammatory
• developmental

Question 2

What are the 2 forces on cartilage that cause OA

Answer 2

• Abnormal forces on normal cartilage
• normal forces on abnormal cartilage

Question 3

What is osteoarthritis

Answer 3

the progressive deterioration of articular cartilage associated with changes in the bone and soft tissues of the joint including loss of cartilage, subchondral bone sclerosis and marginal osteophyte formation

Question 4

How is OA grossly characterised

Answer 4

• fibrilation (fraying of cartilage at edges)
• wear lines
• erosion (partial/full thickness)
• peri-articular osteophytes (extra bits of bone form at margins)
• eburnation (rock hard bone due to wear of cartilage)

Question 5

What are the common sites for OA in the horse

Answer 5

• carpus
• fetlock
• distal interphalangeal joint
• hock
• proximal interphalangeal joint

Question 6

What are the common sites for OA in cats

Answer 6

• spine
• pelvis
• shoulder
• elbow
• stifle
• carpus/tarsus
• phalanges
• metacarpal and metatarsals

Question 7

what are the common site for OA in dogs

Answer 7

• elbow
• pelvis
• stifle

Question 8

What are the main strategies for treatment of joint disease

Answer 8

• NSAIDs
• Corticosteroids
• hyaluronic acid
• PSGAGs (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan)
• pentosan polysulfate
• IRAP (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein
• PRP (platelet rich plasma)
• Stem cells
• Anti Nerve Growth Factor
• Surgery