Osteochondritis is an abnormality in the areas of bone and cartilage growth. Diagnosed in children or young adults, it can have many origins and appear at several levels. Among the most common are osteochondritis of the hip and osteochondritis of the knee.

Definition of osteochondritis

Osteochondritis, also called osteochondrosis, is a medical term that can refer to various damage occurring to the bone and cartilage. More precisely, these are abnormalities in the areas of bone and cartilage growth. 

Cause of osteochondritis

To this day, osteochondritis remains poorly understood. They appear to be caused by an interruption in the blood supply to the area of ​​bone and cartilage growth. Cellular necrosis follows, that is to say the death of cells. Bone and cartilage are affected.

Further studies are expected to better understand the cause (s) of osteochondritis.

Types of osteochondritis

To date, many diseases are considered to be osteochondritis. These include in particular:

• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, often called primary osteochondritis of the hip;
• Panner’s disease, osteochondritis of the elbow;
• Osgood-Schlatter disease, which is osteochondritis of the knee, and more exactly of the tibial tuberosity;
• Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease which is considered to be osteochondrosis of the patella (knee bone);
• Sever’s disease which corresponds to osteochondritis of the heel;
• Köhler-Mouchet disease, an osteochondritis of the foot;
• Freiberg’s disease, which also occurs in the foot;
• Renander’s disease which affects the bones of the big toe;
• Scheuermann’s disease which affects the spine and causes deformity.

Healthcare professionals also distinguish osteochondritis dissecans which can manifest at different locations.

Diagnosis of osteochondritis

The diagnosis of osteochondritis is generally based on:

• a clinical examination accompanied by a questioning to assess the pain felt and rule out other possible causes;
• an x-ray examination to confirm the diagnosis and the necessary management.

People affected by osteochondritis

Osteochondritis is an abnormality found only in children and young adults. It manifests itself in areas of bone and cartilage growth.

This growth anomaly is usually seen in children who exercise intensively. Football, running, gymnastics… sports involving intense movements or repetitive impulses seem to be particularly conducive to the development of osteochondritis.

Factors favoring osteochondritis

Several factors seem to favor the development of osteochondritis:

• intense movements;
• repetitive impulses;
• bad postures;
• too intensive physical activity;
• a static disorder of the flat or hollow foot;
• etc.

Localized pain

The characteristic sign of osteochondritis is localized pain in the affected area. It is a mechanical pain: it gets worse during exercise and is reduced, or even disappears at rest. The affected area is tender to the touch.

Other associated symptoms

Depending on the case, the pain can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms:

• a feeling of joint blockage;
• difficult movements with difficulty walking or moving the arms;
• edema, which is swelling of the tissues in the affected area;
• etc.

The support may be different depending on the case. It may include:

• a rest period in order to limit stress on the affected area;
• the use of an orthosis such as a splint;
• analgesic treatment to relieve pain;
• rehabilitation;
• the installation of a plaster in certain rare cases;
• surgery as a last resort.

If the practice of certain sports is conducive to the development of osteochondritis, there is no question of limiting physical activity. However, this must be practiced under good conditions. In particular, it is advisable to wear shoes with good cushioning to reduce the risk of osteochondritis of the lower limbs. It is also important not to neglect the body’s recovery time.