– In osteochondrosis of the cervical spine there is pain in the hands, shoulders, headache, pain in the back of the neck. In some cases, numbness of the upper arm, impaired hand function. Osteochondrosis of the thoracic compartment may cause chest pain and pain in the heart that mimics heart disease.
Osteochondrosis is a family of disorders that affect bone growth in children and adolescents. The disruption of blood flow to the joints is often the cause. Though certain diseases in this family can affect older adults, they're most likely to affect children and teenagers whose bones are still growing.
The cause of osteochondritis dissecans is unknown. 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. There might be a genetic component, making some people more inclined to develop the disorder.
Signs and symptoms of this condition include: Pain and swelling in the affected joint that worsens with activity. Locking and “catching” of the affected joint. A “giving way” sensation in the affected area.
Perthes disease is considered to be the most common disabling osteochondrosis, but it is not the most common of all osteochondroses.
Osteochondrosis is a developmental disease. It usually occurs in an early stage of life. It has personified features as focal chondronecrosis and confinement of growth cartilage due to a failing of endochondral ossification.
The younger the patient, the better the chance of full recovery and a return to pre-injury activities. However, the patient might have to give up sports activities that require repetitive motions, like pitching. Adults are more likely to need surgery for osteochondritis dissecans and are less likely to fully recover.
Osteochondritis is defined as an inflammation of both bone and cartilage.
The incidence of OCD in the general population is estimated to be 15 to 30 cases per 100,000 persons. Although rare, it is recognized as an important cause of joint pain in active adolescents. OCD has typically been known to affect males between 10 and 20 years of age.
Osteochondroses often heal without treatment or with some minor help from eg. physiotherapy, braces or a cast, restriction of activity, and exercises. They often heal without treatment within weeks to a few months of their occurrence.
In most cases, cervical spondylosis treatments are conservative. They include: Rest. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other non-narcotic products to relieve pain from inflammation.
Three types of osteochondritis are identified, 'crushing', 'splitting' (referred to as dessecans) and 'pulling' (often referred to as traction) (Solomon et al 2014). Apophysitis results from a traction injury to the cartilage and bony attachment of tendons in children.
Frequency. Familial osteochondritis dissecans is a rare condition, although the prevalence is unknown. Sporadic osteochondritis dissecans is more common; it is estimated to occur in the knee in 15 to 29 per 100,000 individuals.
The most common joints affected by osteochondritis dissecans are the knee, ankle and elbow, although it can also occur in other joints. The condition typically affects just one joint, however, some children can develop OCD in several joints.
Osteochondrosis is defined as a disease of the growth or ossification centers in children that begins as a degeneration or necrosis, followed by regeneration or recalcification. Familiar sites of osteochondrosis in children include the proximal femur (Perthes disease) and the tarsal navicular (Kohler disease).
This type of stimulation–response activity generates some of the most dramatic aspects of inflammation, with large amounts of cytokine production, the activation of many cell types, and in fact the four cardinal signs of inflammation: heat, pain, redness, and swelling (1).
When OCD is too severe and non-surgical treatment does not work, we may recommend surgery. If the fractured bone has completely detached, it can get caught between joints, causing pain. The type of surgery needed will depend on the stage and size of the injury.
Surgical Treatment
Stage 1: Stable lesion. Stage 2: Lesions showing signs of early separation. Stage 3: Partially detached lesions. Stage 4: Craters with loose bodies.
If left untreated, osteochondritis dissecans can damage the cartilage in the joint, and loose pieces of bone and cartilage may even break off into the joint. In the long term, untreated osteochondritis dissecans can also lead to arthritis. Osteochondritis dissecans most commonly affects the knee, ankle and elbow.
Some serious symptoms that could result include difficulty gripping objects or even problems with walking or coordination. If the spinal cord or a nerve root is compressed for long enough without seeking medical attention, permanent damage can occur.
Answer: Occasionally headaches can occur as a result of osteoarthritis (OA) high in the neck where the spine meets the skull, but that is unusual.
Chronic pain and stiffness in the neck that may be worse with upright activity. The sound or feeling of popping in the neck when moving. Involuntary contractions of the muscles (spasms) that cause pain or a loss of movement or headaches that start from the neck. Numbness and weakness in the arms, hands and fingers.
Vertebral osteochondritis is characterized by deformity of the spine in the form of a knuckle or a generalized kyphosis or scoliosis, but with very slight or entire absence of pain.