Incidence and characteristics of juvenile tarsocrural osteochondrosis in purebred Angus bulls

•An association between effusion and medial malleolus tarsal osteochondrosis lesions in Angus bulls was demonstrated.•Distal talus changes should not be misinterpreted as clinical osteochondrosis lesions in Angus bulls younger than 1year.•Radiographic screening for tarsal osteochondrosis in Angus bulls is best performed at approximately 1year of age. Osteochondrosis (OC) of the bovine tarsus has been suggested to contribute to osteoarthritis. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to provide data specific to the Angus breed. Clinical and radiographic exams evaluating OC lesions, effusion and osteoarthritis were performed in 50 purebred bull calves at three time points between 5.8 and 21 months of age. The likelihood of OC was lower at a median age of 12.4 months (P