Osteochondrosis, Canine - contd.
The prognosis for shoulder osteochondrosis is excellent. Dogs with this disease often become normal after surgery, unless the lesion has been long-standing and arthritis has set in. The prognosis for elbow osteochondrosis is good but becomes guarded if significant arthritis is present. The prognosis for stifle osteochondrosis is good unless the lesion is very large or significant arthritis is present. The prognosis for tarsal or hock osteochondrosis is guarded because most of the dogs with this form of the disease already have significant arthritis. If the arthritis is severe, surgery may be no more effective than medical management.
