Osteochondrosis in Feedlot Cattle

Abstract

Abstract. Beginning in summer 1977 and continuing through four consecutive seasons, we examined lame limb joints from 106 partially fattened cattle and 28,235 pairs of occipital condyles from fully fattened cattle for osteochondrosis. Of the 106 lame cattle, nine (8.5%) had characteristic lesions, usually in their stifle joints, and of the 28,235 atlanto-occipital joints, 1063 (3.8%) had lesions on their condyles.Slices of affected articular cartilage and subjacent bone were studied radiographically and histologically. Radiographs showed subchondral defects and epiphyseal "cyst-like" lesions, and histologic sections showed disarrayed and degenerated chondrocytes. Splits occurred along osteochondral junctions or in adjacent cartilage or bone. Some bone trabeculae had been replaced by fibrous tissue that, in some areas, extended deep into epiphyses.Osteochondrosis, a degenerative change in articular and growth plate cartilage of rapidly growing animals, is characterized clinically by prolonged limb lameness, and anatomically by disarray of chondrocytes, inadequate provisional calcification of cartilage, failure of endochondral ossification, retention of cartilage, and splits in cartilage and bone [3].Beginning in summer 1977 and continuing through four consecutive seasons, we examined small samples of limb joints and large samples of atlanto-occipital joints from slaughtered cattle for arthropathies and found this disease. Materials and MethodsMost cattle were Hereford, Angus, Charolais, and their crosses. Steers predominated. Their ages at slaughter ranged from 15 to 18 months. All had been fed high concentrate rations in feedlots of eastern Colorado, western Nebraska or western Kansas. They were slaughtered at one of three companies under federal inspection. Cattle with osteochondrosis were of two categories: those with limb joint lesions and lameness, and those with atlanto-occipital joint lesions and no recognized clinical signs. Some had become lame during the fattening period and were slaughtered prematurely for recovery of value. All others had been fattened through 90 to 140 days.During each of the four seasons, a sample of at least 25 lame cattle and a sample of nearly 529

Osteochondrosis Can Lead to Formation of Pseudocysts and True Cysts in the Subchondral Bone of Horses

“…40,54 Alternatively, bone cysts have been observed in association with osteochondrosis lesions in central, weightbearing regions of the epiphyses in large animal species such as the horse 40,43 and ox. 20,39 In horses, there are 2 main hypotheses for the pathogenesis of bone cysts following osteochondrosis. First, it has been proposed that an OCD fissure may permit influx of pressurized synovial fluid into epiphyseal bone.…”

Dyschondroplasia (Osteochondrosis) in Articular-epiphyseal Cartilage Complexes of Three Calves from 24 to 103 Days of Age

“…formation of cartilaginous flaps (osteochondrosis dissecans), subchondral marrow fibrosis or cyst formation, and sclerosis of subchondral bone have been described in cattle from ages 12 to 19 months, 5,9 No information exists about dyschondroplasia in younger calves or about the histopathologic appearance of early bovine lesions. In pigs, however, early lesions in the joint cartilage are described as focal areas of chondrolysis in the growth cartilage with or without thickening ofthe cartilage extending into the subchondral bone.…”

Degenerative disease of the distal interphalangeal joint and sesamoid bone in calves: 9 cases (1995–2004)

“…20 Review of the pedigrees of the calves reported here did not reveal relationships among their lineages, and DIJ lesions were not reported in any of their offspring. A congenital or developmental malformation, such as joint dysplasia or osteochondrosis, that subsequently induces degenerative joint disease was suspected.…”