Orthopedic & Musculoskeletal Conditions in Dogs & Cats
Pets rely on healthy bones, joints, and soft tissues for every leap, stretch, and tail wag. When pain or stiffness sets in, even small injuries can impact their comfort and movement.
At Sage Veterinary Imaging (SVI), our board-certified radiologists specialize in orthopedic and musculoskeletal MRI, the most advanced way to uncover what's happening beneath the surface. MRI reveals details invisible on X-rays, from subtle ligament and tendon damage to early arthritis, cartilage loss, or bone infection. The clarity it provides helps your veterinarian confirm what's wrong, plan effective treatment, and get your pet back to feeling — and moving — like themselves again.
SVI offers advanced MRI services at our centers in Round Rock, Texas; Spring, Texas; and Sandy, Utah.
Common Musculoskeletal Problems We Diagnose
From athletic injuries to chronic conditions, orthopedic and soft-tissue problems can take many forms. Below are some of the issues our team most often helps identify in dogs and cats.
Ligament & Tendon Injuries
Injuries to ligaments or tendons can lead to sudden limping or a slow decline in mobility. They're especially common in active pets and can worsen over time if not properly addressed. MRI provides detailed visualization of soft-tissue structures that X-rays simply cannot reveal, allowing veterinarians to identify partial tears, chronic inflammation, and surrounding tissue damage that would otherwise go undetected.
Learn more about ligament and tendon injuries →Joint Disease & Degeneration
When cartilage wears down or joints become unstable, pets may show stiffness, swelling, or discomfort, especially after rest or activity. These changes often develop gradually, making early detection key. MRI can reveal cartilage thinning, subchondral bone changes, and joint fluid abnormalities well before they become visible on radiographs, giving veterinarians the information they need to intervene earlier and more effectively.
Learn more about joint disease →Bone & Growth Disorders
Developmental changes or repetitive stress can interfere with normal bone structure and strength. These conditions often cause persistent pain or an uneven gait, particularly in growing or athletic pets. Advanced imaging can detect subtle fracture lines, bone marrow edema, and growth plate abnormalities that standard X-rays may miss entirely.
Learn more about bone disorders →Infection & Inflammation
Infections within the bones, spine, or joints can bring fever, pain, and loss of mobility. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to control infection, relieve discomfort, and prevent lasting damage. MRI is far more sensitive than X-rays for detecting early bone marrow inflammation, surrounding soft-tissue involvement, and joint effusion, allowing faster diagnosis and targeted treatment of conditions like osteomyelitis or discospondylitis.
Learn more about infection and inflammation →Soft Tissue & Bone Tumors
Abnormal growths in muscles, connective tissue, or bone can cause swelling, pain, or limping. Understanding the type and extent of a mass helps veterinarians choose the most effective treatment approach. MRI excels at defining tumor margins, evaluating tissue infiltration, and assessing involvement of surrounding structures — critical information for surgical planning and determining whether additional treatments like radiation may be needed.
Learn more about musculoskeletal tumors →Breeds Commonly Affected
Musculoskeletal conditions are seen across all breeds, but certain breeds are predisposed. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers are prone to cruciate injuries and OCD. German Shepherds and Border Collies frequently present with degenerative joint disease. Large and giant breeds like Great Danes and Mastiffs are at higher risk for developmental bone disorders, while athletic breeds such as Greyhounds and Springer Spaniels are susceptible to soft-tissue injuries from repetitive activity.
Supraspinatus Insertional Tendinopathy
Supraspinatus insertional tendinopathy is one of the most frequently diagnosed causes of forelimb lameness in active, sporting, and working dogs. The supraspinatus tendon attaches at the top of the humerus (the greater tubercle) and plays a critical role in shoulder stability and extension. Repetitive overhead motion, jumping, quick turns, and high-impact landings — common in agility, flyball, herding, and field trial dogs — can cause chronic micro-damage to the tendon fibers at the point of insertion, leading to pain, inflammation, and progressive degeneration.
Research shows that performance and sporting dogs account for nearly 40% of diagnosed cases, with agility dogs making up the largest subgroup. However, this condition is also common in everyday pets, particularly medium-to-large breeds. Many dogs present with a chronic, intermittent weight-bearing lameness in one front leg that worsens after exercise and improves with rest — a pattern that can persist for weeks or months before owners seek advanced diagnostics.
Signs Your Dog May Have Supraspinatus Tendinopathy
Why MRI Is Essential for Diagnosis
Standard X-rays can only detect the mineralized form of supraspinatus tendinopathy, which represents a minority of cases. The nonmineralized form — by far the more common presentation — is invisible on radiographs and can only be reliably diagnosed with MRI. High-field MRI reveals characteristic hyperintensity at the tendon's insertion point on the greater tubercle, allowing radiologists to assess the severity of tendon degeneration, identify concurrent shoulder pathology (such as biceps tendinopathy or joint effusion), and guide treatment planning. Without MRI, many dogs with this condition are misdiagnosed or treated empirically for months without resolution.
How Advanced Imaging Helps
Every pet's orthopedic concern is unique. At SVI, our high-field MRI systems capture exceptional detail of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone structures — revealing the subtle changes behind pain or lameness.
Each study is reviewed by our board-certified radiologists, who work directly with your veterinarian to deliver clear answers and a confident plan forward.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Musculoskeletal MRI studies typically take 45–60 minutes, depending on the area being examined. Your pet will be placed under light, short-acting anesthesia to ensure they remain completely still for the highest quality images. Our team positions your pet carefully to capture the specific joint, limb, or region of concern. Most pets recover from anesthesia within 30 minutes after the scan.
Results are interpreted by a board-certified veterinary radiologist, and your veterinarian typically receives a detailed report the same day.
Learn more about veterinary MRI at Sage →
Dr. Jaime Sage, DVM, MS, DACVR
Dr. Jaime Sage is a recognized expert in veterinary musculoskeletal MRI and has a particular interest in working with sporting and working dogs. As a board-certified veterinary radiologist (DACVR) and the founder of Sage Veterinary Imaging, Dr. Sage brings deep expertise in diagnosing complex orthopedic conditions — including supraspinatus insertional tendinopathy, cruciate injuries, and joint disease — using high-field MRI.
Dr. Sage's published research on musculoskeletal MRI in companion animals — co-authored with Dr. Patrick Gavin, a pioneer of MRI in veterinary medicine and one of the foremost experts in musculoskeletal MRI — has contributed to advancing the diagnostic standard of care in veterinary orthopedics, particularly in understanding when MRI should be considered over traditional imaging and how it changes treatment outcomes.
Why Choose Sage Veterinary Imaging
Get Answers for Your Pet
If your pet is limping, stiff, or avoiding normal activity, don't wait to investigate the cause. Advanced imaging can reveal what's really going on and help guide your veterinarian's next steps.
Schedule a Diagnostic Imaging Study
Visit one of our three locations to learn more and schedule your pet's imaging study. Our team will work directly with your veterinarian to determine the best approach.
Musculoskeletal Imaging FAQ
Ready to Get Answers?
Advanced musculoskeletal imaging can reveal what's behind your pet's pain or mobility changes. Visit one of our locations to get started.