Osteochondroses

Abstract

Osteochondroses are a group of orthopedic disease that involves the epiphyses or epiphyseal equivalents (carpal and tarsal bones, apophyses) during the growth of the child. The term osteochondrosis describes a group of conditions with similar radiological images, clinical characteristics, and natural course. Males are usually more affected than females, and the clinical presentation appears between 10 and 14 years of age. Boys are generally more involved in high-level physical activities and tend to experience symptoms more often compared to girls. The etiology is idiopathic, but multiple risk factors are associated, as an endocrine imbalance, genetic disease, mechanical factors, rapid growth, trauma, and vascular anomalies. The damage of the blood supply leads to vascular ischemia to the growth cartilage of the endochondral ossification center. The results of this mechanism of injury are the avascular necrosis of the epiphysis. The radiological imaging of the osteochondrosis is similar for all the sites involved and varies depending on the stage of the disease. Osteochondroses are classified according to their site of origin. This disease usually resolves spontaneously without surgical treatment.