Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

What it is

In osteochondritis dissecans, a patch of cartilage inside a joint does not convert to bone as it should during growth. The area can thicken, crack, and sometimes separate as a flap or fragment. It usually appears in young, fast-growing, larger-breed dogs, most commonly in the shoulder but also in the elbow, stifle or hock. Treatment is often surgical and is entirely a veterinary decision.

What you might notice

• Lameness in a young dog, often worsening after exercise
• A shortened stride on the affected leg
• Reluctance to play or exercise as freely as before
• Stiffness after rest
• Lameness that persists rather than settling in a day or two

These are things owners commonly describe. They are not a diagnosis, and several of them overlap with other conditions — only your vet can tell you what is actually going on.

How massage may help

Massage has no part to play in the joint lesion itself, which your vet will manage. It becomes useful afterwards, around the compensation. A young dog who has been favouring one leg for weeks or months develops uneven muscle and tension elsewhere, and that does not resolve on its own once the joint is dealt with. With veterinary consent, Shanice works with those muscles.

Talk to Shanice about your dog

A diagnosis is only one part of the story. Two dogs with the same condition can need quite different care, depending on their age, temperament, routine and what they love doing. Share your dog’s veterinary history when you enquire and Shanice will talk through whether massage is appropriate for them.

Treatment complements your dog’s veterinary care, takes place in your own home, and requires signed veterinary consent.

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