Hannah Capon speaks with Professor Stuart Carmichael about the complexity of osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs and why it is more than just cartilage damage. They discuss how OA affects all structures around the joint and can lead to nervous system hypersensitivity, making pain perception more complicated. Stuart explains why x-ray changes don’t always reflect pain levels, why different joints require different treatment approaches, and how the disease progresses over time. (published February 2020 https://youtu.be/jmM-yqQ5sp4)

Brief Bio:

Professor Stuart Carmichael is an internationally recognized veterinary orthopaedic specialist with a strong focus on osteoarthritis treatment and research. He is the Professor of Veterinary Science at the University of Surrey and Co-founder of Aim-OASys Ltd, a company developing decision-making tools for OA treatment. Through Joint Adventures Ltd, he provides clinical consultancy and works to improve arthritis management strategies for veterinarians and pet owners.

Key Takeaways

1. Osteoarthritis is more than cartilage damage – it affects ligaments, muscles, and nerves, making pain management complex.
2. Pain doesn’t always match x-rays – the severity of joint changes on imaging does not necessarily indicate how much pain a dog is experiencing.
3. Different joints need different treatments – the approach to managing arthritis varies depending on the affected joint and stage of the disease.
4. The nervous system becomes hypersensitive – chronic OA pain can alter nerve function, making pain harder to control over time.
5. Early intervention is key – addressing arthritis sooner improves long-term outcomes and can help slow disease progression.

Learn more about CAM: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAMarthritis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canine_arthritis
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CanineArthritisManagement
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canine-arthritis-management-ltd

Have questions send them to: [email protected]

Stay tuned to learn how early detection can make a significant difference in managing OA in younger dogs.