Equine osteoarthritis: A review of pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

A brief review of pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of equine osteoarthritis is presented. The role of synovitis in promoting articular cartilage degradation is discussed, and attention is drawn to the fact that chondrocytes themselves seem to be the major contributors of cartilage degradative enzymes. Various methods of recognizing ongoing cartilage degeneration have been described. The use of these methods allow the establishment of an early diagnosis of osteoarthritis, thus improving treatment options and prognosis. Treatment of osteoarthritis must be initiated in the early stages of the disease before articular cartilage degeneration has progressed to an irreversible level. Special attention is therefore given to the treatment of synovitis and conditions causing synovitis, as this will minimize the cartilage degradative effects of joint inflammation.