Osteochondritis dissecans occurs when a segment of bone and cartilage around one of your joints dies, often due to low blood flow. The segment then begins to crack and break loose from its surroundings, causing pain and swelling. Osteochondritis dissecans commonly affects children and adolescents, and can be managed through proper treatment.
Speak with an orthopedic expert at Bayhealth.
Signs and Symptoms
While osteochondritis dissecans commonly occurs in the knee, the condition can also develop in other joints, including the ankles, elbows, shoulders and hips. Most cases result in pain to the affected area and a limited range of motion. Other symptoms include the following.
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Weakness
Although osteochondritis dissecans typically only affects one joint, children and adolescents may develop the condition in several joints.
Risk Factors and Prevention
While osteochondritis dissecans has no known cause, several factors may heighten the risk of developing the condition. Those factors include the following.
- Activity: Repetitive activity—such as during sports—can create stress on joints and contribute to conditions like osteochondritis dissecans.
- Age: Individuals aged 10 to 20 have the highest risk of osteochondritis dissecans.
- Family History: Individuals with a history of osteochondritis dissecans in their family have an increased risk of developing the condition.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop the condition compared to women.
- Trauma: Injury to a joint could increase the risk of developing osteochondritis dissecans.
How We Diagnose Osteochondritis Dissecans
Our orthopedic experts use the following procedures to diagnose osteochondritis dissecans.
- Physical Exam: In most cases, our experts can accurately diagnose osteochondritis dissecans by examining the physical symptoms of the condition.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of specific areas of your body.
- X-ray: A common medical imaging procedure, X-rays use radiation to capture colorless images of your bones, joints and soft tissue.
Treatment Options
While some cases of osteochondritis dissecans go away on their own, treatment may be needed if the condition causes pain or limits movement.
Treatment options include refraining from physical activity and wearing a brace to keep the joint from moving. The use of crutches may also provide relief and help the joint to recover.
Severe cases of osteochondritis dissecans may require surgery.