Osteochondritis dissecans: symptoms, causes, and treatment

Definition of osteochondritis dissecans

What is osteochondritis dissecans?

Have you ever heard of a type of musculoskeletal disorder called osteochondritis dissecans? This is a joint health problem in which the bones underneath the cartilage are damaged due to lack of blood flow.

This, in turn, can increase your risk of fracturing, feeling pain, and possibly limiting movement of the joint. Usually, this condition is experienced by children as well as adolescents.

Yes, it is true that problems that interfere with the human movement system include not only the muscular system and the skeletal system, but conditions that attack joints are also included.

Symptoms of this disease will only appear after you have suffered an injury or after months of strenuous activities such as jumping and running, so that the joints become affected.

Osteochondritis dissecans commonly appears in the knee joints, but can also affect the joints of the elbows, ankles, and various other joints. This condition is distinguished by the severity of the injury experienced.

If the loose cartilage and bone doesn't move or move, you probably won't feel any symptoms. In children, injuries that arise may heal on their own, given the child is still growing.

To overcome this condition, you can perform various types of treatment. However, if the bones and cartilage move out of their starting position and get caught between the moving joints, you may experience constant pain and will have to undergo surgery.

How common is osteochondritis dissecans?

This condition occurs in people at a young age (10-20 years) and middle age (30-60 years). People who exercise frequently are more affected by this condition. In addition, men are more at risk than women.

Signs & symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans

This joint health problem has several common symptoms that you need to pay attention to. Usually, the symptoms that appear depend on the area of ​​the joint that is affected. Some of the symptoms are:

• There is pain in the joints which may be triggered by physical activity such as climbing stairs, climbing, and exercising.
• There is swelling and bruising of the skin around the affected joint.
• The joint is cracked or stuck in such a position that it cannot be moved.
• Weakened joints.
• The joint movement is reduced.

There may be symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• The joint becomes so swollen that it cannot be moved as usual.
• There is pain that does not go away or there is pain in the knees, elbows, and various other joints.

Causes of osteochondritis dissecans

Unlike various other joint problems, for example bursitis, tendinitis, tennis elbow, etc., the cause of this condition is still unclear. However, reduced blood supply to the bones may result from repeated trauma.

This means that this condition can occur if you repeatedly experience injuries that can cause bone damage, whether minor, moderate or severe injuries.

There may also be a genetic component that causes people to have a predisposition to developing this disease.

Risk factors for osteochondritis dissecans

There are several risk factors for osteochondritis dissecans, namely:

• Ages 10-20 years are more prone to experiencing this health condition.
• Men are more prone to experiencing this condition than women.
• Speed-related sports such as running and jumping.

Medication & treatment of osteochondritis dissecans

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

To diagnose this condition, you must first perform a physical examination. When the physical exam is done, your doctor will apply pressure to the affected joint, examine the swollen and painful area, and ask you to move your joint in different directions to see if you can move normally.

In addition, the doctor will also examine the bone structure in the affected area, such as ligaments. Then your doctor may order other tests to confirm the diagnosis through:

• X-rays to show irregularities in the bones and joints.
• MRI, if the X-ray looks normal but you are still experiencing symptoms.
• CT scan, to help doctors see the bone in great detail so that they can determine the location of the loose fragments in the joint.

What are the treatment options for osteochondritis dissecans?

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are some types of treatment that you can choose to treat this disease, including:

1. Therapy

Your doctor may advise you to rest your joints. This can be started by reducing activities that can cause stress to the joints, such as jumping and running if this condition affects the knee.

You may also have to use the stick for a while, especially if the pain has spread to your thighs. Your doctor may recommend using a variety of other assistive devices to make it easier for you to move around for a few weeks.

Physical therapy can also be done to help strengthen the muscles that support the affected joint. This therapy can also be done after undergoing surgery.

3. Operations

Surgery is usually done if you experience a shift in the joint. If home remedies such as rest or physical therapy don't work for you for 4-6 months, surgery may be the best alternative.

The type of surgery you have will depend on the size and severity of the injury and the age of your bones.

Home remedies for osteochondritis dissecans

The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you deal with osteochondritis dissecans:

• Rest and limit movement of the affected area.
• See your doctor regularly to monitor the progress of your symptoms and health condition.
• Follow your doctor's instructions, do not take any over the counter medicines or skip your dose.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.