Chronic musculoskeletal disease is a long-term injury or disease affecting muscle, ligaments, tendons or joints and pets of all ages can be affected. Examples include osteoarthritis (often referred to as arthritis) or long-term tendon pain (tendinitis). Most pets with such problems will have long-term lameness or reluctance to exercise. Initially, pets will regularly be given pain-relieving medication, which can reduce lameness. This may be effective in the short term; however, these medications may mask rather than cure the disease.

Chronic musculoskeletal disease can have a profound effect on your pet’s health. Pets can become depressed, aggressive or anxious when they are in pain. Cats will often go outside less and sleep more if they have sore joints. A dog may change the way they use their legs which can cause problems in other legs or the spine. It is quite common for lameness in a dog to be caused by a problem that has arisen secondary to a previously undiagnosed primary condition. By treating both the primary and secondary conditions, it can be possible to make a patient comfortable more quickly and maintain that state for longer than if treating the conditions separately.

Accurately identifying chronic musculoskeletal disease can present many challenges. A detailed Orthopaedic examination is required to assess all areas where a pet might be experiencing pain. Often an examination will require further tests, including scans, blood tests and joint fluid analysis, to understand the importance of each of these painful sites. Once all of the disease processes or injuries have been identified, an appropriate treatment plan can be created. This may involve medications, local injections, physiotherapy, pain relief, surgery, and a number of specific techniques to encourage healing.