What is the cause of osteochondritis?

The cause of osteochondritis dissecans is unknown. The reduced blood flow to the end of the affected bone might result from repetitive trauma — small, multiple episodes of minor, unrecognized injury that damage the bone. There might be a genetic component, making some people more inclined to develop the disorder.

How do you cure osteochondritis?

Treatment

  1. Resting your joint. Avoid activities that stress your joint, such as jumping and running if your knee is affected.
  2. Physical therapy. Most often, this therapy includes stretching, range-of-motion exercises and strengthening exercises for the muscles that support the involved joint.

What does osteochondritis mean?

: inflammation of bone and cartilage.

Can osteochondritis dissecans heal on its own?

Management and Treatment In children and younger teens, sporadic osteochondritis dissecans will usually heal on its own as they grow older. They can relieve pain and swelling with rest and time off from vigorous physical activities such as running and jumping.

How common is osteochondritis?

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is the most common cause of a loose body in the joint space in adolescents1 and may lead to considerable debility. OCD is a relatively rare disorder, characterized by a focal area of subchondral bone that undergoes necrosis. Historically, it has been seen predominantly in young men.

How long does it take for osteochondritis to heal?

Osteochondritis dissecans happens most often in the knee, elbow, or ankle. It usually takes 3 months or longer to heal completely. If it heals completely, kids who have it usually don’t have any long-lasting problems.

What are the symptoms of osteochondrosis?

What are the symptoms?

  • swelling.
  • tenderness.
  • joint popping.
  • joint locking.
  • joint weakness.
  • joint stiffness.
  • an inability to fully straighten the affected limb.

What happens if osteochondritis dissecans goes untreated?

If left untreated, osteochondritis dissecans can damage the cartilage in the joint, and loose pieces of bone and cartilage may even break off into the joint. In the long term, untreated osteochondritis dissecans can also lead to arthritis. Osteochondritis dissecans most commonly affects the knee, ankle and elbow.

How long does osteochondritis take to heal?

Is osteochondritis a type of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. It causes pain and stiffness and restricts the movement of joints. A similar condition called sporadic osteochondritis dissecans is associated with a single lesion in one joint, most often the knee.

Is osteochondritis genetic?

Osteochondritis dissecans is a bone and cartilage condition that most often occurs in the knee. It has no known cause, but repetitive stress on the joint, low vitamin D and a genetic predisposition are often linked to this condition.