Osteochondritis dissecans

Overview

Osteochondritis dissecans (os-tee-o-kon-DRY-tis DIS-uh-kanz) is a condition in which a part of the bone of a joint begins to break loose due to lack of blood flow. A slippery tissue called cartilage that covers the joint also begins to break loose. The condition may cause pain that gets worse over time and a feeling of the joint's motion being blocked.

Osteochondritis dissecans happens most often in school-age children and teens. It may cause symptoms after a single injury to a joint. Or symptoms may appear after doing an activity that greatly loads the joint for several months. This is mainly true for high-impact sports and those that involve cutting and pivoting, such as soccer and basketball.

The condition most often affects the knees. But it also may affect elbows, ankles and other joints. Most often, the condition affects just one joint.

Some people might need surgery for ongoing pain or if the piece of bone and cartilage comes loose and moves around inside the joint.

Symptoms

Depending on the joint that's affected and how far along the condition is, symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans may include:

• Pain. Physical activity may bring on this most common symptom of osteochondritis dissecans. Activity might include walking up the stairs, climbing a hill, running or playing sports.
• Swelling and tenderness. The skin around the joint might be swollen and tender.
• Joint popping or locking. The joint might pop or stick in one place if a loose piece gets caught between bones during movement.
• Joint weakness. The joint might feel weak or like it's "giving way."
• Less range of motion. The affected arm or leg may not straighten all the way.

When to see a doctor

If you or your child has ongoing pain or soreness in the knee, elbow or another joint, see your healthcare professional. Also make an appointment if you or your child has joint swelling or can't move a joint through its full range of motion.

Causes

Experts don't know the cause of osteochondritis dissecans. Even a small injury repeated over time might lower blood flow to the end of the affected bone. People with certain genes may be more likely to get the condition.

Risk factors

Osteochondritis dissecans happens mainly in children and teens between the ages of 10 and 20 who are active in sports. Obesity may raise the risk.

Complications

Over time, osteochondritis dissecans can raise the risk of getting osteoarthritis at an early age in the affected joint. If not healed all the way, the condition can cause ongoing pain and trouble using the joint.

Prevention

Learning about the risks to the joints linked with overuse might help teens who play sports. Learning how to move properly in their sports can help lower the chance of injury. So can training for the sports they play, strength training, and exercises that help improve body control and balance.