Osteochondrosis is a group of conditions characterized by a loss of blood supply to a bone, leading to the breakdown and regrowth of bone tissue. Osteochondritis dissecans is one type.
Osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans can lead to joint pain and swelling.
“Osteo” comes from the Ancient Greek word “osteon,” meaning bone. “Chondr” comes from the Ancient Greek word for cartilage.
Osteochondrosis is a group of conditions characterized by a loss of blood supply to part of a bone (called avascular necrosis), which leads to its degeneration and the regrowth of new bone.
Osteochondritis dissecans is a type of osteochondrosis where a flap of bone detaches from the underlying bone due to the loss of its blood supply.
Read on to learn more about osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans.
Here’s a look at the symptoms of osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans.
Osteochondrosis symptoms
Osteochondrosis can cause symptoms like:
- joint pain
- limping
- reduced mobility
- joint stiffness
- swelling
- tenderness
- joint popping
- weakness
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease symptoms
The most well-known form of osteochondrosis is Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. It’s a rare childhood disease that occurs when the blood supply to the head to your thighbone is disrupted. This can lead to the collapse of the ball-and-socket joint.
- development of a limp without a known cause
- pain in the hip or groin or referred to a:
- knee
- thigh
- abdomen
- pain that gets worse with activity
- painful muscle spasms
Osgood-Schlatter disease symptoms
Another well-known form of osteochondrosis is Osgood-Schlatter disease. This causes pain and swelling below the kneecap in adolescents. Pain is usually worse with running, jumping, or climbing stairs.
Osteochondritis dissecans symptoms
Osteochondritis dissecans most commonly affects your:
- knee
- ankle
- elbow
The most common symptoms are pain and swelling in a joint brought on by physical activity. Advanced cases may cause joint locking or catching.
Here’s a look at the causes of osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans.
Osteochondrosis causes
Osteochondrosis develops from temporary disruptions in the blood supply for bone and cartilage for a particular bone.
The underlying cause of osteochondrosis isn’t known. Experts have suggested that it might be related to:
- hormonal imbalances
- genetic causes
- repetitive trauma
- biomechanical factors
- atypical blood vessel structures
Osteochondritis dissecans causes
Osteochondritis dissecans occurs when a small segment of bone and cartilage separates from the end of your bone due to a lack of blood supply.
It’s not known what causes the loss of blood supply, but it might be related to repetitive trauma or stress to the bone in genetically prone people.
Here’s a look at the risk factors for osteochondrosis and osteochondritis.
Osteochondrosis risk factors
- male sex
- ages 12 to 15 years for males
- ages 8 to 13 years for females
- sudden skeletal growth
- jumping, sprinting, or other repetitive activities
- short stature
- birth weight under 5.5 pounds for males
- secondhand smoke exposure
- some blood clotting disorders
- HIV
Osteochondritis dissecans risk factors
Osteochondritis dissecans is most common in young athletes between the ages of
These are some of the potential complications for osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans.
Osteochondrosis complications
Osteochondrosis can sometimes lead to chronic joint pain or arthritis.
Legg-Calve-Pethés disease can cause deformity of the head of your femur, which can put you
- labral tear
- leg length discrepancy
- hip arthritis
Osgood-Schlatter disease rarely causes long-term complications. But some children may have ongoing pain that lasts into adulthood or develop a bony bump under their shin.
Osteochondritis dissecans complications
Complications of osteochondritis dissecans can include:
- arthritis
- chronic pain
- pain when moving a limb
- blood clots due to reduced movement
It’s important to seek medical attention if you or your child develops joint or bone pain that’s:
- getting progressively worse
- severe
- affecting your daily activities
- causing a new limp that persists (in children)
Diagnostic tests for osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans include:
- a review of your personal and family medical history
- a review of your symptoms
- a physical exam
- X-rays
- an MRI scan
- ultrasound
These are the treatment options for osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans.
Osteochondrosis treatment
Osteochondrosis often heals eventually by itself. Supportive treatments can include:
- home remedies, like:
- icing the affected area
- resting
- stretching tight muscles
- taking pain relievers, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- casting and crutches
- physical therapy
You may need surgery if conservative treatment isn’t effective.
Osteochondritis dissecans treatment
Treatment options for osteochondritis dissecans include:
- avoiding vigorous activity
- using crutches or splints
- casting the affected limb
- getting surgery, if your symptoms don’t improve after 2 to 4 months
Surgical options might include:
- drilling into the injured area to create a pathway for new blood vessels
- using pins and screws to keep the affected area in place
- replacing the damaged area with a bone and cartilage graft
Here’s a look at the outlook for osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans.
Osteochondrosis recovery
Osgood-Schlatter disease often goes away by itself, but that may take months. About
About
Osteochondritis dissecans recovery
If you need surgery for osteochondritis dissecans, you may need crutches for about 6 weeks, followed by 2 to 4 months of physical therapy.
Most people who get surgery eventually develop early onset osteoarthritis.
It isn’t clear how to prevent osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans. But following a proper training program and avoiding overtraining may help young athletes prevent joint problems.
It’s often possible to manage both osteochondrosis and osteochondritis dissecans conservatively. You may need surgery if conservative treatment options aren’t effective for you.