Etiology and pathogenesis of osteochondrosis.
Authors: Ytrehus B, Carlson C S, Ekman S
Journal: Veterinary pathology
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Etiology and Pathogenesis of Osteochondrosis Osteochondrosis remains a significant joint disease across multiple species, particularly affecting horses, though its aetiological complexity has historically obscured understanding of its pathogenesis. Ytrehus and colleagues undertook a comprehensive literature review to evaluate competing theories regarding disease initiation and progression, distinguishing between factors with robust scientific support (heredity and anatomic conformation) and those commonly cited but less rigorously substantiated (rapid growth, trauma, dietary imbalances). The authors present compelling evidence that vascular insufficiency to the growth cartilage represents the primary pathogenic mechanism, rather than fragile cartilage formation, failed chondrocyte differentiation, or subchondral bone necrosis. They refine osteochondrosis terminology into three clinically meaningful categories—latens (epiphyseal cartilage lesions only), manifesta (endochondral ossification delay), and dissecans (articular cartilage fissuring)—providing a more precise framework for clinical communication. For equine practitioners, this nosological clarity combined with recognition that inherent genetic and conformational predispositions largely determine disease susceptibility suggests future management strategies should prioritise selective breeding and anatomic assessment rather than focusing primarily on modifiable factors like growth rate or nutrition, though these may still influence severity in genetically susceptible individuals.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Focus on selecting breeding stock for favorable conformation and genetic background, as these are the most evidence-supported modifiable factors in osteochondrosis prevention
- •Understand that rapid growth and dietary factors, while commonly blamed, lack strong scientific support as primary causes—maintaining good basic nutrition and avoiding excessive growth rates remains prudent but may not prevent all cases
- •Recognize early lesions (latens stage) may progress or remain static; terminology now clarifies whether cartilage lesions have caused ossification delays (manifesta) or joint surface damage (dissecans) to guide prognosis
Key Findings
- •Osteochondrosis is multifactorial in etiology, with heredity and anatomic conformation being the only well-supported etiologic factors among those commonly cited
- •Failure of blood supply to growth cartilage is the most likely initial pathogenic mechanism, supported by recent literature
- •Three distinct presentations of osteochondrosis are defined: latens (epiphyseal cartilage only), manifesta (with delayed ossification), and dissecans (cleft formation through articular cartilage)
- •Disease occurs across multiple species including pigs, horses, and dogs with shared pathogenic mechanisms