What is dissecting osteochondritis?
Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint condition in which bone underneath the cartilage of a joint dies due to lack of blood flow.
Osteochondritis dissecans occurs most often in children and adolescents.
It can cause symptoms either after an injury to a joint or after several months of activity, especially high-impact activity such as jumping and running, that affects the joint.
The condition occurs most commonly in the knee, but also occurs in elbows, ankles and other joints.
Surgery might be necessary if the fragment comes loose and gets caught between the moving parts of your joint or if you have persistent pain
Symptoms
Depending on the joint that's affected, signs and symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans might include:
- Pain triggered by physical activity.
- Swelling and tenderness.
- Joint popping or locking.
- Joint weakness.
- Decreased range of motion.
The cause of osteochondritis dissecans is unknown.
There might be a genetic component, making some people more inclined to develop the disorder.
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.
Osteochondritis dissecans occurs most commonly in children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 20 who are highly active in sports.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteochondritis-
dissecans/symptoms-causes/syc-20375887
