Shoulder
Is your pet struggling with a sore shoulder? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Just like human athletes, active dogs can sometimes experience shoulder pain. Here at Stitches Veterinary Surgery we’re experts in helping your family members get back to their playful selves.
Overview
Canine shoulder disorders vary from juvenile bone disorders such as OCD, to athletic traumatic injuries, to tendinopathies seen most commonly in middle aged to older sporting breed dogs. Arthroscopy and musculoskeletal ultrasound are valuable diagnostic tools.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
In young, large and giant breed pups, a condition called OCD can sometimes affect their joints. It all starts with a hurdle in development – the cartilage that should be turning into bone doesn’t quite cooperate. This creates a thicker-than-normal cushion around the joint, but deep down, things aren’t getting the nutrients they need. Over time, this weak spot can detach and become a “flap” floating in the joint. That flap in the shoulder hurts.
Essentially, OCD is seen in young, large and giant breed dogs. The disorder involves a congenital problem associated with bone and cartilage development which results in intra articular cartilage/bony flaps.
The problem starts with a syndrome called osteochondrosis which is a failure of endochondral ossification; the process by which most bones grow and articular cartilage is formed. This failure of cartilage becoming bone results in overly thick joint cartilage adjacent to the joint. The deepest layer of this thickened cartilage is inadequately nourished resulting in cell death. Eventually, the deep detachment fissures and propagates to the joint surface and a “flap” develops. Cartilage debris and inflammatory mediators are released into the joint fluid and inflammation ensues. With time, arthritis/ degenerative joint disease occurs.
This flap and the debris it creates irritate the joint, leading to inflammation and eventually, arthritis if left untreated. OCD most commonly affects the shoulder, but elbows, knees, and ankles can also be involved.
The good news? We can diagnose OCD with a physical exam and X-rays, and often, a minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopy can remove the flap and help the joint heal properly. Following flap removal, micro-fracturing the remaining defect may be performed, depending on the heath of the underlying bone. Micro-fracturing involves making small holes in the remaining defect in an attempt to reach a local blood supply, which may aid in healing.
With this treatment, most young dogs with OCD have a fantastic chance (good of getting back to their playful selves!
Treatment of shoulder OCD involves removal of the cartilage flap. In all cases, arthroscopic removal is considered the state-of-the-art and least invasive method.
Supraspinatus Tendinopathy
Ever thrown that frisbee a little too hard? Active, middle-aged dogs can sometimes get a pain in the shoulder similar to what athletes experience. It’s called supraspinatus tendinopathy, and it happens when the tendon connecting a key shoulder muscle gets overworked and inflamed. Imagine tiny tears appearing in a rope – that’s what’s happening in the tendon. Over time, these tears can even harden with calcium deposits.
The pain can range from a slight limp after a big play session to constant discomfort. To diagnose this, we’ll give your pet a thorough exam, take some X-rays, and possibly use an ultrasound for a closer look. The diagnosis of supraspinatus tendinopathy is based on physical examination, radiographs and musculoskeletal ultrasound. The good news? Treatment options depend on the severity. Sometimes, rest is all it takes! Treatments range from rest alone to intra-tendon, platelet rich plasma injections to surgical resection of the mineralized tendon. The specific treatment(s), and prognosis, depends on the severity of the problem.
The key takeaway? With the right care, most pets can have a positive prognosis.
Medial Shoulder Instability
Imagine your dog’s shoulder joint as a ball and socket. Normally, strong ligaments hold that ball securely in place. But in some active, middle-aged, and large breed dogs, a condition called medial shoulder instability can develop. It’s like the ligaments get a little loose, causing the ball to wobble in the socket – not ideal for comfortable walks!
Medial shoulder instability is a relatively uncommon condition seen in middle -aged, sporting and large breed dogs. The problem is typically related to tearing of the glenohumeral ligament on the medial side of the shoulder joint.
This wobbling can lead to lameness, ranging from a slight limp to a more serious issue. We can diagnose this with a physical exam and ultrasound, and sometimes a special camera procedure called arthroscopy gives us a clearer picture.
Specifically, the clinical signs range from mild to severe front limb lameness. The tentative diagnosis of medial shoulder instability is made based on physical examination and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Arthroscopy is used for definitive diagnosis.
The good news? Treatment depends on the severity. Sometimes, rest and external support like a brace are enough. Other times, special injections can help tighten things up. In rare cases, surgery might be needed to create a new, stronger hold for the ball.
Treatment depends on severity of the problem and ranges from debridement and external support to platelet rich plasma injections to surgical stabilization.
The prognosis for medial shoulder instability depends on the severity of the condition. The goal is always to get your dog to recover well and get back to enjoying those walks, wobble-free!
Bicipital Tendonitis (Tenosynovitis) and Biceps Tendon Tearing
Bicipital tendon tearing and inflammation is a relatively uncommon shoulder problem seen in mid-aged, sporting and large breed dogs. The clinical signs are variable and range from mild to severe lameness. The diagnosis is based on physical examination, radiography, musculoskeletal ultrasound and arthroscopy. Treatments vary on the degree of tearing. Subtle tears can be treated with external support and plasma rich plasma injections. Near complete tears are typically treated via arthroscopic resection of the torn portion of the tendon. Overall the prognosis is good following treatment.
At Stitches Veterinary Surgery, we are committed to providing only state of the art, non-compromised pet healthcare. We realize some pet owners may find this level of care relatively costly. However, despite the inherently expensive nature of our work, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care at the most affordable price possible. We believe if you compare our fees to other specialty practices you will find this true.
We will will walk you through the most common canine shoulder problems, from growing pains in young pups to injuries in active adults. We’ll also explain how our state-of-the-art technology helps diagnose and treat these issues quickly and effectively.
Common causes of canine shoulder pain: We’ll explore conditions like OCD, tendinopathy, and instability, explaining the symptoms and how they affect your dog.
Advanced diagnostics for accurate treatment: Learn about the tools we use to pinpoint the exact cause of your dog’s discomfort, ensuring they receive the most appropriate care.
Treatment options and recovery: We’ll discuss different treatment plans depending on the severity of the condition, including minimally invasive arthroscopy for faster healing.
Most importantly, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing there’s a solution to get your dog back to running, jumping, and playing pain-free!
We understand that pet care can be expensive. That’s why we’re committed to providing the highest quality treatment at a fair price. We encourage you to compare our costs with other specialty practices – we’re confident you’ll find our fees competitive.
Let’s get your furry friend feeling their best again! Contact us today to schedule a consultation.