Osteocondritis dissecans of the numeral head (OCD) is a pathological condition of the articular cartilage, resulting from disturbance of the endochondral ossification. Thirty-six cases of OCD were analyzed in dogs with ages between 5 and 24 months, with larger representation among males when compared to females (3.5:1). Most of these (80.6%) had received nutritional suplementation. Eight dogs were treated conservatively through rest and dietary restriction, while the others were submitted to surgical intervention by means of arthrotomy and removal of the articular flap of the humeral head. It was concluded that the predisposition of some races, associated to the unbalanced nutritional diet during the first months of life, are the main causes of OCD, and that the surgery is the best therapy to be used.
ostechondrosis; osteochondritis dissecans; shoulder joint; dogs
