OA causes pain and disability. OA affects all components of the synovial joint.
Osteoarthritis (OA): The Big Picture
There is no cure for OA. There are palliative treatment options for OA.
Non-surgical treatments include use of NSAIDS and nutraceuticals, the modification of nutrition, moderate exercise, and physical therapy.
Surgery may be the only option for end-stage disease (ex., FHO, THR).
Prevention is key in the fight against canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and OA:
Accurate prediction of OA requires a reliable screening method implemented early in life.
Genetic control and selective breeding based on a validated phenotype can reduce the severity of CHD and the development of OA in subsequent generations of animals.
Environmental factors such as diet, activity level, and pharmaceuticals can influence the onset of OA.
Preventive Surgery is also an option (eg, TPO, JPS). However, the safety and efficacy of preventive surgical procedures have not been adequately studied .