Taking X-rays are a vital part of diagnosing orthopaedic diseases and the more difficult aspect is in interpreting the radiographs.

I am frequently sent x-rays from other veterinary surgeons seeking a diagnosis where the clues are only too clear, providing you know where to look!

This is an X-ray of Dexters unaffected right leg. The boney cortex and the medulary cavity are easily discerned.	This is an X-ray of Dexters left leg. Instead of a clear difference between the cortex and the medulary cavity the sclerotic new bone smudges the view.

Dexter's condition turned out to be a disease known as "panosteitis". A bizarre problem where the bone marrow fat degenerates for no known reason setting off a marked inflammatory reaction with resultant production of bone in a place where there shouldn't be any!

Whilst this process causes a considerable degree of pain to the patient - and will often appear in other legs (there's something to look forward to Dexter!) there are no adverse long term effects.

Therefore once Dexter has reached full maturity around 18months of age these flare ups of "panosteitis" are likely to have stopped. This is the reason why this condition is often referred to as severe growing pains.

I always knew there was at least one good reason for getting older!

Terry Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS

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