Osteochondrosis Diseccans (OCD)

OCD is the most important joint disorder of the growing horse. The disease processes are still not completely clear, although numerous factors can play a role in the condition. These include a genetic predisposition, excesses or imbalances in nutrition, endocrine factors and biomechanical forces including trauma. In healthy joints the bones are covered with cartilage. In horses with OCD this cartilage is weakened and can lead to cartilage damage. This may repair or lead to the formation of loose cartilage flaps, loose bone fragments or cysts within the joint.