Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a joint disease in horses that causes sudden joint swelling and lameness. Horses with OCD may exhibit stiff movement and shortened strides due to joint distention, which is the most common symptom. OCD can affect the femoropatellar, tarsocrural, and fetlock joints. Treatment options include conservative management or arthroscopic surgery depending on the location and severity of the lesions.

1. Osteochondritis Dissecans
"OCD"
Sudden onset of joint
swelling and lameness
Horses may act stiff in the stifle
and use a shortened stride.
Joint distention is the most
common symptom.
Clinical Signs
McIlwraith. 2013. Surgical versus conservative management of
osteochondrosis. The Veterinary Journal. 19-28.

2. This figure illustrates
the proposed pathways of
osteochondrosis leading to OCD.
Categories of
OCD Lesions
Horses that show clinical and
radiographic signs
Horses that show clinical signs
without radiographic signs
Horses that only show radiographic
signs, but no clinical signs
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/top
ic.cfm?topic=A00610

3. http://www.costofeverydaythings.com/how-much-does-a-horse-cost/
What joints can
be affected?
Femoropatellar
Tarsocrural
Fetlock
The treatments of conservative
management versus arthroscopic surgery
for correction of osteochondrosis varies
depending on the location and lesion type.
http://www.farmerswee
kly.co.za/article.aspx?
id=40157&h=Dealing-
with-Osteochondritis-
dissecans-(OCD