Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
This page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or emergency care. Always consult your primary veterinarian or a rehabilitation veterinarian before starting treatment. If your pet cannot walk, has sudden paralysis, severe pain, or breathing difficulty, seek urgent veterinary attention.
What is Shoulder Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)?
Also known as: shoulder OCD; osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral head; caudal humeral head OCD.
Osteochondrosis is a disturbance of endochondral ossification. When a cartilage flap forms and inflammation develops, the condition is termed osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). In the shoulder, lesions classically sit on the caudal aspect of the humeral head. Fragments may remain attached or become joint mice.
Young, rapidly growing large and giant breeds are predisposed. Lameness may be unilateral or bilateral and is often worse after exercise. Diagnosis uses orthopaedic examination and imaging (radiographs; CT or arthroscopy when indicated).
Treatment may involve surgical removal of the flap (arthroscopic or open) and management of concurrent joint disease. Rehabilitation supports post-operative recovery and helps non-surgical cases maintain comfort, scapular muscle mass, and controlled loading — always coordinated with the attending veterinarian.
Common signs to watch for
Signs vary by severity and by whether your pet is a dog or cat. Owners of dogs often notice:
- Forelimb lameness in a juvenile or young adult large-breed dog
- Shortened stride; reluctance to extend the shoulder
- Pain on shoulder flexion/extension or abduction
- Muscle atrophy over the shoulder (supraspinatus/infraspinatus) with chronicity
- Exercise intolerance or stiffness after rest
Causes & contributing factors
- Developmental failure of endochondral ossification (osteochondrosis complex)
- Genetic predisposition in certain large and giant breeds
- Rapid growth and nutrition factors that influence cartilage maturation
- Repetitive loading of a vulnerable caudal humeral head during growth
How veterinary rehabilitation helps
After diagnosis and veterinary clearance, rehab addresses pain, restores comfortable shoulder range, and rebuilds rotator-cuff and scapular stabilisers that protect the joint.
Controlled therapeutic exercise progresses from gentle weight-bearing to strength and proprioception. Hydrotherapy may be used when appropriate to train gait with reduced impact.
Owners receive guidance on activity restriction during healing, surface management, and long-term joint care because secondary osteoarthritis can develop.
Rehabilitation plans at RehabVet are individualised after a veterinary assessment. We coordinate with your primary vet when imaging, medication, or surgery is part of the overall plan.
Modalities & services commonly used at RehabVet
Depending on your pet’s examination findings, comfort, and goals, a plan may include one or more of the following:
Expected rehabilitation goals
Goals are set for the individual patient. Typical aims may include (not guarantees — outcomes vary):
- Reduce shoulder pain behaviours and protective guarding
- Restore functional shoulder and scapular motion
- Rebuild forelimb muscle mass and weight-bearing symmetry
- Support return to appropriate activity levels after veterinary clearance
- Educate owners on lifelong joint-friendly exercise habits
We do not publish invented success percentages. Progress is tracked clinically (gait, strength, range of motion, pain behaviours, and home function) and plans are adjusted over time.
When to seek veterinary care
- Persistent forelimb limp in a growing large-breed puppy or young dog
- Pain when the shoulder is handled, or refusal to bear weight
- Bilateral forelimb issues or progressive exercise intolerance
- Before starting jump or high-impact training in a young dog with shoulder pain
No. OCD is a developmental cartilage lesion. Soft-tissue sprains can coexist or mimic shoulder pain, so veterinary imaging and exam are needed to distinguish them.
Yes. Bilateral lesions occur. Your vet may image both shoulders even if only one limb looks lame.
Rehab complements medical or surgical care; it does not remove a free cartilage flap. Treatment choice belongs with your veterinarian or surgeon.
Related reading & patient stories
Book a rehabilitation assessment
If your pet has been diagnosed with Shoulder OCD, or you are noticing mobility changes, our team can assess and design a multimodal rehab plan.
Educational content only — not a diagnosis. For emergencies, contact your nearest veterinary hospital.
Related Conditions
- ConditionElbow Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)Elbow OCD involves a cartilage flap on the medial humeral condyle and is one component of the canine elbow dysplasia complex, mainly in young large-breed dogs.Learn more
- ConditionFragmented Medial Coronoid Process (FMCP)Fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP) is a common form of canine elbow dysplasia in which a portion of the medial coronoid process of the ulna fissures or separates, causing elbow pain and osteoarthritis risk.Learn more
- ConditionMedial Shoulder InstabilityMedial shoulder instability (MSI) describes laxity or injury of the medial glenohumeral support structures, causing forelimb pain, performance decline, and intermittent lameness in dogs.Learn more