Abstract
Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is a condition characterised by degeneration of articular cartilage often associated with the formation of new bone at joint surfaces on margins. Commonly encountered in dogs, osteoarthritis may have a gradual onset, but may also occur acutely. Osteoarthritis can be a primary disease of joint cartilage, but is more after secondary to abnormal stresses on joints. This article describes the pathogenesis and progression of cartilage degeneration as well as the dietary, lifestyle and pharmacological management of osteoarthritis. Recent pharmacological developments allow the clinician not only to control clinical signs of the disease, but also to slow the progression of cartilage degeneration.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disorder of movable joints characterised by degeneration of articular cartilage and the formation of new bone at joint surfaces or margins[3,26]
For this reason a selective blocker of cyclo-oxygenase isozyme II (COX II) would be more specific in treating inflammation, and not inhibit the potentially beneficial effects of prostaglandins produced by non-inflammatory cells
It appears that further study is indicated to determine the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)-mediated tumour necrosis factor production on the pathophysiology of OA
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disorder of movable joints characterised by degeneration of articular cartilage and the formation of new bone at joint surfaces or margins[3,26]. The term osteoarthritis indicates degenerative joint disease with concurrent synovial inflammation, which is not always present[3,26]. Degenerative joint disease is the the term preferred by many clinicians and indicates a pathological process not always associated with inflammation. Since osteoarthritis appears to be the term most commonly used in the veterinary literature, we have chosen to use it throughout this article. In the majority of cases, OA presents as lameness, which may have a gradual onset but can flare up acutely after exercise[3,26]. OAisthe mo s t common joint disease affecting dogs[3]. ADepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa. BDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.
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