Osteochondrosis is a range of orthopedic diseases that occur in rapidly growing children. It is a disease that attacks children and adolescents (most frequently between 4 and 13 years old) who are in the growth phase. The ends of the bones lengthen and cause the epiphysis and diaphysis of the bones to increase significantly. In essence, osteochondrosis consists of necrosis and degeneration of bones and cartilage. Later, the second phase of the disease contains deformation of the bone core. The cartilage tissue weakens and hard, solid bone appears. This whole process ends when the disease is cured without treatment. It is a disease that occurs in a greater proportion in men.

The exact causes of osteochondrosis have not been discovered, but it seems evident that it is a consequence of a circulatory disorder that causes ischemia (absence of blood supply to the bones). It also influences in some cases that some patients show a hormonal predisposition that makes the appearance of osteochondrosis easier. The joint that is usually the most affected is the femur.

Types of osteochondrosis:

– Kohler’s disease. It is osteochondrosis of the tarsal scaphoid (in feet).

– Osteochondrosis of the second proximal metatarsal.

– Scheuermann’s disease. It affects the spine especially in male children between 10 and 14 years old and involves the cartilage nuclei of the vertebrae, causing necrosis, which does not end the growth of the vertebrae.

– Osteochondritis dissecans or Konig’s disease. Necrosis fragments a portion of the cartilage component and subchondral bone that supports the cartilage and absorbs mechanical impacts. It generally affects the tibial femoral area although it can appear in the ankle.

– Osteochondrosis of the spine or Calvé disease. It causes flattening of the spine and usually involves a single bone.

– Osteochondrosis of the calcaneus or Haglund’s disease. It affects the calcaneus, the heel bone of the foot, degenerating it in the posterior part in the insertion area of ​​the Achilles tendon. It especially affects overweight children between 9 and 12 years old who play sports in which footwear is flat and with little cushioning.

The symptoms are quite clear:

– Pain.

– Inflammation.-

– Reduced functionality.

Symptoms depending on the type of osteochondrosis:

– Kohler’s disease. It is osteochondrosis of the tarsal scaphoid (in feet). Symptoms are pain in the medial or inner aspect of the foot and lameness.

– Osteochondrosis of the second proximal metatarsal. The symptoms are the same as Kohler’s disease.

– Scheuermann’s disease. It is asymptomatic, a case is usually discovered by chance during tests for other pathologies.

– Osteochondritis dissecans or Konig’s disease. Its symptoms are: pain, swelling, decreased mobility and quadriceps that become hypotrophic.

– Osteochondrosis of the spine or Calvé disease. Pain may appear in the spine.

– Osteochondrosis of the calcaneus or Haglund’s disease. Pain and lameness when walking.

The doctor can recognize the existence of osteochondrosis with a simple physical examination, but an accurate diagnosis requires imaging tests.

Treatment is sometimes not necessary, but physiotherapy and, in severe cases, an osteotomy are generally used. Includes physical therapy, and prevention to reduce symptoms and prevent early hip arthritis. In severe cases, a surgical cut of the affected bone (osteotomy) is performed.

Doing exercises in various areas of the body, mainly the hip, helps prevent the disease and also prevents early arthritis.