Understanding Osteochondritis Pain and How to Relieve It

Osteochondritis is a painful joint condition that can make everyday activities difficult. Treatments depend on the severity of your symptoms but may include bracing, physical therapy, pain medications, surgery, and more.

Osteochondritis is a condition that affects the joints and causes pain. It happens when part of a bone in a joint dies, causing a thin layer to come loose and sometimes break away.

This can lead to joint instability, stiffness, and feelings of the joint being “sticky.” Multiple treatments, including bracing, physical therapy, medication, and surgery, can help relieve the pain of osteochondritis.

What are the medical ways to relieve pain from osteochondritis?

A doctor can recommend a treatment plan to help relieve the pain of osteochondritis . The best treatment plan for you will depend on factors such as the severity of your symptoms, the affected joint, and your overall health. Medical treatments can include:

• bracing with splints or casts
• compression sleeves to keep your joint steady
• crutches
• physical therapy exercises to improve strength, balance, and stability
• manual joint stretching from a physical therapist to help with movement and strength
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help relieve pain

Surgery is also an option for the treatment of osteochondritis. Your doctor might suggest surgery if imaging tests show the broken piece of bone has detached from your joint or if you’re still experiencing pain after physical therapy and medication.

Common surgical techniques to treat osteochondritis pain include:

• using a bone graft to replace the detached bone piece
• using surgical pins and screws to secure the loose bone piece
• drilling a hole in the affected bone, which helps create new blood vessels and allows the bone to heal

What can you do at home to relieve pain from osteochondritis?

You can also take steps at home to help relieve the pain of osteochondritis. These include:

• avoiding strenuous activities
• taking a break from sports and other intense exercise
• avoiding standing for long periods
• taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
• using cold packs or heat wraps to bring down swelling
• elevating your leg when you sit to help reduce swelling

How is osteochondritis diagnosed?

The first step in treating your osteochondritis pain is talking with a doctor.

At your appointment, your healthcare professional will ask about your symptoms, your medical history, and your family’s medical history. If they suspect you have osteochondritis, they’ll then order tests like:

• X-rays: X-rays are to get a close look at your bone. They can help doctors see the broken pieces caused by osteochondritis.
• MRI: An MRI helps doctors see bone and cartilage clearly. MRI images can detect whether bone pieces have moved into the joint space.
• CT scan: A CT scan can see inside bones, tissues, and blood vessels. It can help doctors look for damage.
• Genetic testing: Osteochondritis can run in families. If your doctor suspects you have familial osteochondritis, they might order a blood test to look for changes in your genes.

Questions for your doctor

Talking with your doctor can help you understand your condition and your outlook. If you’ve received a diagnosis of osteochondritis, it’s a good idea to ask your doctor questions such as:

• Will I need physical therapy?
• Will I need surgery?
• How long should I avoid sports and other intensive activities?
• Is there anything else I should avoid?
• What will my recovery look like?

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take osteochondritis to heal?

The path to healing osteochondritis looks different for each person. It can depend on factors such as the affected joint, severity of the condition, age, and more.

As a rule, people who develop the condition in their early years tend to recover faster and more fully than those receiving a diagnosis of osteochondritis later on.

You may experience symptom flare-ups with osteochondritis. This means your symptoms are completely gone at times, but then the pain and stiffness return.

Surgery can generally help treat osteochondritis. However, it’s possible for people who have osteochondritis to develop osteoarthritis in the affected joint.

Is osteochondritis considered a disability?

Osteochondritis might be considered a disability in some cases. Osteochondritis meets the requirements to be classed as a disability if it prevents a person from working and if it’s expected to last for at least a year.

If you apply for benefits from an organization such as the Social Security Administration, you’ll need to have a doctor verify this information.

Takeaway

Osteochondritis is a condition that causes joint pain instability. Treatment depends on the severity and the joint affected.

Medical treatments can include bracing, crutches, physical therapy, and surgery. At home, you can try solutions such as rest, elevation, and heat or ice to reduce swelling.