Musculoskeletal Diseases (MN)

Question 1

Panosteitis

Answer 1

• Growing pains
• Occur 5-18 months
• Unknown cause
• Common in (GS) but can be linked to stress, infection, metabolic and autoimmune cases
• Clinical signs: lameness, palpable long bone pain, pyrexia
• Treatment: analgesia, rest
• Self limiting condition but can occur in another limb

Question 2

Elbow Dysplasia

Answer 2

• Abnormal development of the elbow joint
• Humerus, radius and ulna don’t all fit together = high contact pressure leading to OCD (Osteochondritis dissecans)
• Normally diagnosed via CT scan, keyhole surgery
• Conservative management: weight management, analgesics, hydrotherapy, controlled exercise, dietary supplements

Question 3

Hip Dysplasia

Answer 3

• Deformity of the hip occurring during growth
• Continued weight bearing can cause remodelling of articular cartilage and femoral head = Degenerative joint disease
• Affected by muscle mass, environment, growth rate
• Clinical signs: lameness, bunny hopping gait, muscle atrophy, pain, hip instability
• Conservative Treatment: weight management, pain relief, nutraceuticals, physio
• Surgical Treatment: femoral head and neck exicision, total hip replacement

Question 4

Cruciate Disease

Answer 4

• When the cranial cruciate ligament frays or ruptures
• Tough ligament in the stifle that attaches the femur and tibia - prevents overextension of the joint
• No cause but strong genetic link (labs, boxers)
• Clinical signs: affected limb out straight not bent, lameness, reduced ROM, stiffness, muscle atrophy
• Treatment: analgesia, restricted exercise, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, nutraceuticals

Question 5

Neoplasia - Osteosarcoma

Answer 5

• Bone tumour
• Bone is destroyed, tumour bone replaces it (PAIN) that can cause pathological fractures that never heal
• Clinical signs: lameness, distinct swelling, loss of appetite, lethargic
• Diagnosis: xray, endoscopy
• Treatment: Guarded prognosis, can be aggressive, amputation, chemo, radiotherapy

Question 6

Immune Mediated Polyarthritis

Answer 6

• ‘A disorder in the immune system leading to inflammation in multiple joints’
• Immune system starts attacking the tissues in the joints due to diseases like cancer, infections, GI disease
• Can just be idiopathic as well

CLINICAL SIGNS: Pyrexia, Inappetance, Multiple joint involvement
Other signs of systemic disease

DIAGNOSIS: Join fluid samples taken for external lab tests

TREATMENT: Steroids

Question 7

Septic Arthritis

Answer 7

• Bacterial infection in 1 or more joints usually due to infection in the joint caused by a joint injury BUT also can spread through bloodstream or from surrounding tissues

DIAGNOSIS: Joint fluid samples, radiography, presenting signs

CLINICAL SIGNS: Joint swelling, pain, lameness ,pyrexia, lethargy, inappetance

TREATMENT: Antibiotic therapy & Analgesia (NSAIDs, Opoids)

Question 8

Osteoarthritis

Answer 8

• ‘Slowly evolving disorder of the synovial joints, caused by deterioration of joint cartilage & the formation of new bone at the joint surface/margins’
• Around 50% of dogs affected by OA
  Continues degenerative change - NOT always old animals

CAUSES: Abnormal forces on normal cartilage e.g. injury, instability, obesity
Normal forces on abnormal cartilage e.g. OCD, degeneration

CLINICAL SIGNS: Stiff on rising - improves once up, Lameness, Reduced ROM, Crepitus, Unwilling to exercise, Quieter than normal, Joint effusion / swelling