General Principles of Joint Pathobiology General Anatomy and Physiology of Joints Joint Functions Types of Joints Embryonic Joint Development Principles of Joint Anatomy Principles of Joint Physiology Conclusions References Biomechanics in Joints Biomechanical Considerations that Influence Joint Disease References Traumatic Arthritis and Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis in the Horse Traumatic Arthritis References Pathologic Manifestations of Joint Disease Pathogenesis of Joint Disease Biomechanical Influences on Joint Disease Summary References Osteochondritis Dissecans History and Terminology The Process of Endochondral Ossiication Clinical Presentation of Oc Prevalence and Evolution of Osteochondrosis The Pathophysiologic Mechanism behind Osteochondrosis Etiologic Factors Treatment Prognosis Economic and Welfare Impact of Osteochondrosis Conclusion and Pointers for Further Research References Subchondral Cystic Lesions Subchondral Cystic Lesions Pathogenesis Summary References Septic Arthritis Pathophysiology Etiology and Causative Organisms Epidemiology Clinical Signs and Diagnosis Treatment Joint Lavage or Drainage Prognosis Septic Arthritis in Foals Conclusion References Effects of Loading/Exercise on Articular Tissues and Developmental Aspects of Joints Loading of the Mature Joint: Balancing between Maintenance and Morbidity Loading of the Juvenile Joint: Crucial Conditioning Conclusion References General Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment Principles of Diagnosis Clinical Examination Principles of Imaging References Synovial Fluid and Serum Biomarkers What is a Biomarker? Understanding Joint Structure and Metabolism in Health and Disease Individual Direct Biomarkers of Articular Cartilage Metabolism in Osteoarthritis Individual Direct Biomarkers of Bone Metabolism in Joint Disease Indirect Biomarkers of Joint Homeostasis Future of Biomarkers in Osteoarthritis References Principles of Therapy of Traumatic Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs, 192 Specific Uses of Nsaids What are the Negative Effects with Use of Nsaids? Potential Analgesic Effects of Nsaids with Regard to Withdrawal from Competition References Intraarticular Corticosteroids Early History of Corticosteroid Use in Equine Joint Disease Early Evaluations of Direct Effects More Recent Research on Beneficial and Deleterious Effects in in Vivo and in Vitro Equine Models Can Adjunctive Use of Hyaluronan in Conjunction with Methylprednisolone Acetonide Mitigate the Deleterious Effects? Combined Use of Hyaluronan and Triamcinolone Acetonide Laminitis: A Suggested Potential Complication of Intraarticular Corticosteroid Use What are Equine Veterinarians Using in Practice? The Association of Intraarticular Corticosteroids and Catastrophic Injury Pharmacology of Corticosteroids and Duration of Pharmacologic Effects Clinical Effectiveness (PHARMACODYNAMICS) Relative to Pharmacologic Presence (PHARMACOKINETICS) and Potential to Quantitate this Activity The Influence of Rest from Exercise after Intraarticular Corticosteroid Injection An Evolution of Stricter Drug Restrictions Summary References Hyaluronan Role of Hyaluronan in Joint Disease Summary References Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan (Adequan?) Early Studies in in Vitro and in Vivo Models Clinical Use and More Recent Evidence for Efficacy Hyaluronan, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, and N-Acetyl-d-Glucosamine Combination Products References Pentosan Polysulfate Mechanisms of Action Studies in Horses Summary References Biologic Therapies Autologous Conditioned Serum Platelet-Rich Plasma Summary References Stem Cells Choice of Source for Mesenchymal Stem Cells Dose of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Timing and Number of Treatments with Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cartilage Injury/Focal Resurfacing Osteoarthritis Intraarticular Soft Tissue Injuries Summary References Physical Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Issues in Joint Disease Pain and Inflammation Proprioception and Joint Instability Joint Stiffness Neuromuscular Control Endurance and Strength Use of Aquatic Therapies in Managing Joint Disease Summary References Use of Oral Joint Supplements in Equine Joint Disease Indications for Oral Joint Supplements Terminology and Regulatory Issues in the Use of Oral Joint Supplements (a U.S. Perspective) Types of Oral Joint Supplements Summary References Specifics of Anatomy, Clinical Diagnosis, Imaging Diagnosis, and Treatment by Region Distal Limb Distal Interphalangeal Joint Pathologic Change in the Distal Interphalangeal Joint Proximal Interphalangeal Joint References Fetlock Anatomy Diagnostic Imaging of the Equine Fetlock References Carpus Imaging Parameters Clinical Signs Specific Conditions References The Elbow and Shoulder Elbow Shoulder References Tarsus Imaging Parameters Clinical Signs Specific Conditions References Stifle Diagnostic Imaging of the Stile Specific Conditions References The Hip Radiography Ultrasound Nuclear Scintigraphy Osteoarthritis Osteochondrosis/Hip Dysplasia Fractures/Luxation Septic Arthritis References New Frontiers Equine Joint Disease: Present and Future Directions in Research (EARLY) Diagnosis of Joint Disease Therapies (Both Symptom-Modifying and Disease-Modifying) Articular Cartilage Healing (REPAIR) Improvement in the Understanding of Pathogenesis of Exercise-Induced Traumatic Disease Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy References