osteoArthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting dogs. It causes pain, is incurable and progressive and it can severely affect the quality of your dogs life. Osteoarthritis will most commonly affect older dogs and also larger breeds of dog. It is also referred to as degenerate joint disease (DJD) and is a progressively worsening inflammation of a joint which is caused by the deterioration of the cartilage in the joint. Cartilage acts as a cushion in the joint, allowing the joint to move freely and through its full range of motion, whilst protecting the bones from contacting each other and working as a shock absorber upon impact. In Osteoarthritis the cartilage starts to break down which causes problems with the joint and will cause boney spurs to develop, which can limit the ease and fluid motion of the joint. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the limbs and the lower spine.

how does it Progress?

The first stages of osteoarthritis are evident as the cartilage begins to thin in the joint. Cartilage has no nerves but as the friction begins to affect the bone the first symptoms occur (will cause pain after using the joint and also stiffness). The middle stages of osteoarthritis includes the thickening of bones and growth of a reactive tissue, known as osteophytes (bony spurs), begins to develop along joint margins. In the late stages of the disease lubricating fluid is lost and the joint may fill with inflammatory fluids that stretch the joint capsule causing increased levels of pain, even when not using the joint, including pain though the night, severe swelling and joint stiffness, leading to decreased range of movement. Muscle guarding may also occur at the joint, which can then lead to trigger points and further damage.

Image from Pain Scale. Please note that BelMar Canine Massage Therapy is not affiliated with Pain Scale.

What causes osteoarthritis?

There are many causes for the development of osteoarthritis. Here is a list of the most common causes:

  • Obesity

  • Age - middle to older ages dogs are most at risk of development of OA.

  • Repetitive stress from activities such as agility and flyball

  • Injuries such as fractures or ligament tears

  • Pre-existing medical conditions such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia

  • Infections and diseases that affect the joints, such as Lyme disease

  • Improper nutrition

  • Poor conformation

  • Genetics

  • Breed Predisposition - some breeds of dog are more susceptible to osteoarthritis. These are the most common breeds that are effected by osteoarthritis and the areas you are most likely to see this degenartive condition to effect…

    • Labradors (hips and elbows)

    • German Shepherd (spine, hips and elbows)

    • Golden Retrievers (hips)

    • Rottweilers (hips and elbows)

What are the symptoms of OA?

The onset of osteoarthritis is pain in the joint after the joint has been used, as well as some stiffness in the joint. Other symptoms include:

  • Varying degrees of stiffness, lameness, limping

  • Difficulty and/or stiffness getting up and down from a laying or sitting postion

  • Lethargy

  • Reluctance to jump or play

  • Weight gain

  • Irritability or changes in physical behaviour 

  • Pain when petted or touched

  • Difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate

  • Loss of muscle mass over the spine or limbs

  • Crepitus or creaking at the joints

  • Licking or nibbling the area affected

  • Reduced range of motion

  • Reluctant to jump in/out of car

  • Slowing down on walks

  • Pain/Inflammation of the joint

  • Restless/irritable

  • Grumpy

How can massage help with osteoarthritis?

Massage therapy can help with OA and aid to reduce its effects on your best friend. As a therapist i will take a full body approach to treatment and i aim to reduce the dysfunction around the body to increase the way that the muscles and the skeleton interact with eachother, which will aid in keeping your dogs health and wellbeing in the best condition we can. Clinical canine massage therapy aids in the following ways:

  • Help to reduce, decrease or manage the muscle guarding that will develop over the limb being affected

  • It will aid with ensuring that the soft tissue in and around the joint remains free from trigger points, myofascial pain and other muscle dysfunctions

  • It will also aid reducing the affects of overcompensation in the muscles due to the condition.

  • Giving them a sense of relaxation and overall wellbeing

  • Reducing muscle spasms, swelling and joint stiffness

  • Helps to increase mobility

  • Flushes out toxic inflammatory waste substances that is built up in the area

  • Improving tissue relaxation, muscle flexibility and blood flow to the muscles

  • Helps to maintain muscle mass

  • Decreases pain associated with the condition

  • Relaxes hypertonic muscles

  • Helps to loosen and lengthen muscles that have become more rigid as a result of the OA

Contraindications (reasons to not massage or to alter the massage) to be aware of - if your dog is showing any signs of the following then please let me know and then we can discuss a treatment schedule to work around or outside of the particular issue.

  • Open wounds

  • High blood pressure

  • Diabetes

  • Cardio-vascular conditions

  • Broken bones

  • Bruises

  • Pregnancy

  • Epilepsy

  • The severity of the condition

  • The level of inflammation in the area

    (heat therapy should be avoided if inflammation present)

  • Skin irritations such as eczema