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Don’t fight Osteochondritis dissecans alone.
Find your community on the free RareGuru App.Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint condition that occurs when a piece of cartilage and the thin layer of bone beneath it, separates from the end of the bone. If the piece of cartilage and bone remain close to where they detached, they may not cause any symptoms. However, affected people may experience pain, weakness and/or decreased range of motion in the affected joint if the cartilage and bone travel into the joint space. Although osteochondritis dissecans can affect people of all ages, it is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 10 and 20 years. In most cases, the exact underlying cause is unknown. Rarely, the condition can affect more than one family member (called familial osteochondritis dissecans); in these cases, osteochondritis dissecans is caused by changes (mutations) in the ACAN gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Treatment for the condition varies depending on many factors, including the age of the affected person and the severity of the symptoms, but may include rest; casting or splinting; surgery and/or physical therapy.
Source: GARD Last updated on 05-01-20
The signs and symptoms of osteochondritis dissecans vary from person to person. If the piece of cartilage and bone remain close to where they detached, they may not cause any symptoms. However, affected people may experience the following if the cartilage and bone travel into the joint space:
Although osteochondritis dissecans can develop in any joint of the body, the knee, ankle and elbow are most commonly affected. Most people only develop the condition in a single joint.
Last updated on 05-01-20
In most cases, the exact underlying cause of osteochondritis dissecans is not completely understood. Scientists suspect that it may be due to decreased blood flow to the end of the affected bone, which may occur when repetitive episodes of minor injury and/or stress damage a bone overtime.
In some families, osteochondritis dissecans is caused by changes (mutations) in the ACAN gene. In these cases, which are referred to as familial osteochondritis dissecans, the condition generally affects multiple joints and is also associated with short stature and early- onset osteoarthritis. The ACAN gene encodes a protein that is important to the structure of cartilage. Mutations in this gene weaken cartilage, which leads to the various signs and symptoms of familial osteochondritis disssecans.
Last updated on 05-01-20
A diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans is usually suspected based on the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms. Additional testing can then be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. These test may include x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT scan).
For more information about the diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans, please click here.
Last updated on 05-01-20
You can contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison (PRPL) Office at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We recommend calling the toll-free number listed below to speak with a specialist who can help you determine if you or someone you know is eligible for any clinical trials.
Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
NIH Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2655
Toll-free: 800-411-1222
Fax: 301-480-9793
Email: prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov
Web site: http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/
You can find helpful general information on clinical trials at the following
ClinicalTrials.gov Web page.
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/info/understand
A tutorial about clinical trials that can also help answer your questions can
be found at the following link from the National Library of Medicine:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/clinicaltrials/htm/index.htm
Resources on many charitable or special-fare flights to research and treatment
sites and low-cost hospitality accommodations for outpatients and family
members, as well as ambulance services, are listed on the Web site of the
Office of Rare Diseases (ORD), part of the National Institutes of Health.
http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/resources/5/support-for-patients-and-
families#category17
Last updated on 05-01-20
Yes. Additional information and supportive resources for chronic pain can be obtained from the following organizations:
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
Toll-free: 800-533-3231
Telephone: 916-632-0922
Fax: 916-632-3208
E-mail: ACPA@pacbell.net
Web site: http://www.theacpa.org
The National Pain Foundation
14828 W 6 Ave, Ste 16-B Room 1
Golden, CO 80401-5000
Telephone: 720-541-6808
Fax: 720-541-6809
Web site: http://www.thenationalpainfoundation.org
Last updated on 05-01-20
The primary aim of treatment for osteochondritis dissecans is to restore normal function of the affected joint, relieve pain and prevent osteoarthritis. Treatment for the condition varies depending on many factors including the age of the affected person and the severity of the symptoms. In children and young teens, osteochondritis dissecans often heals overtime without surgical treatment. These cases are often managed with rest and in some cases, crutches and/or splinting to relieve pain and swelling.
If non-surgical treatments are not successful or the case is particularly severe (i.e. the cartilage and bone are moving around within the joint space), surgery may be recommended. Following surgery, physical therapy is often necessary to improve the strength and range of motion of the affected joint.
Last updated on 05-01-20
Many different organizations provide financial assistance and travel/lodging assistance to patients and their families. For more information about these organizations including their contact information, please visit GARD's "Support for Patients and Families" page. Click on the link to access these resources.
Last updated on 05-01-20
FamilyDoctor.org provides additional information about Osteochondritis dissecans. Click on the link above to access this information.
Last updated on 04-27-20
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