
02/07/2025
🐾 Why Your Dog Needs More Than Just Joint Care for Osteoarthritis
“If you’re not treating the muscles, you’re only treating half the problem.”
When it comes to canine osteoarthritis (OA), focusing only on the joint misses a vital part of the picture. OA doesn’t just affect cartilage—it impacts the entire joint system, including the muscles and soft tissues that support movement and stability.
Canine osteoarthritis (OA) isn’t “wear and tear of the joints ”—and it’s definitely not just a disease of cartilage. OA affects the entire joint complex:
🦴 Articular cartilage
🧬 Synovial membrane & fluid
🦴 Subchondral bone
💪 Surrounding muscles & ligaments
🔬 Research shows that the pain dogs experience often stems from inflammation and soft tissue changes, not just cartilage damage (Fox, 2017; Henrotin et al., 2005).
🔁 The OA Cycle: Why It Worsens Over Time
➡️ Joint instability or microtrauma triggers inflammation
➡️ Inflammation breaks down cartilage and irritates nearby nerves
➡️ Pain changes how your dog moves (limping, offloading, stiffness)
➡️ Altered movement increases muscle tension and joint strain
➡️ And the cycle continues…
👉 Focusing only on joint meds or supplements?
That’s only part of the picture.
Ignoring muscle compensation, tension, or weakness means missing a major driver of pain and dysfunction.
✨ Multimodal care is essential.
Rehabilitation, manual therapy, and targeted exercise help:
✅ Reduce pain
✅ Improve strength and stability
✅ Restore comfort and mobility
✅ Slow OA progression
📚 Let’s treat the whole dog—not just the joint.
💬 Want to know how my treatments can help your dog live more comfortably with OA?
my contact details are below.
📧 [email protected]
📞 07418 082 240