• Physical Injury
– triggers inflammation
• Everyday wear and tear
- Repetitive and excessive force on a joint may wear down the supporting tissues of the joints
• Weight Bearing joints
- Knee, hock, fetlock, pastern and coffin joints are more prone to be arthritic since they endure the majority of the concussive forces
• Poor conformation
-may cause abnormal forces, placing additional strain on joints
• Other injury
– bacterial infection (septic arthritis) and joint fractures will stimulate an inflammatory response
