Overview
Osteochondrosis is a group of conditions that affect the growing bones and cartilage in children and adolescents. In these disorders, the normal blood supply to certain areas of bone near joints is disrupted, causing the bone tissue to break down and sometimes die (a process called avascular necrosis or ischemic necrosis). This most commonly affects areas where bones are still growing, such as the knee, hip, ankle, elbow, and spine. The condition can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement in the affected joint. There are several well-known types of osteochondrosis, each named for the specific bone or joint involved. For example, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease affects the hip, Osgood-Schlatter disease affects the knee just below the kneecap, Scheuermann disease affects the spine, and Köhler disease affects the foot. Symptoms typically appear during periods of rapid growth in childhood or adolescence and can range from mild discomfort to significant pain that limits physical activity. Treatment depends on the specific type and severity of osteochondrosis. Many cases improve on their own with rest, activity modification, and physical therapy. In more severe cases, bracing, casting, or surgery may be needed to restore proper blood flow, remove damaged tissue, or stabilize the joint. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are important to prevent long-term joint damage and to support normal bone development. Most children and teens with osteochondrosis have a good outcome, especially when the condition is caught early and managed properly.
Key symptoms:
Joint pain, especially during or after physical activitySwelling around the affected jointStiffness or reduced range of motion in the jointLimping or changes in the way you walkTenderness when pressing on the affected areaMuscle weakness near the affected jointLocking or catching sensation in the jointPain that worsens with exercise and improves with restVisible bump or swelling near a growth plateDifficulty bearing weight on the affected limbBack pain or rounded upper back (in spinal forms)Decreased ability to participate in sports or physical activities
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Childhood
Begins in childhood, roughly ages 1 to 12
FDA & Trial Timeline
5 eventsIstituto Ortopedico Rizzoli
University of Pennsylvania
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
2 availableRaloxifene Hydrochloride
Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Raloxifene Hydrochloride
Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
4 resourcesTeriparatide
Eli Lilly
Osteoporosis
FORZINITY
Allergan
Osteoporosis
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Osteochondrosis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Osteochondrosis
Disease timeline:
New trial: Self-questionnaire in Osteoporosis
Phase NA trial recruiting. Self-administered questionnaire
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What specific type of osteochondrosis does my child have, and which bone or joint is affected?,How severe is the condition, and what is the expected timeline for healing?,What activities should my child avoid, and when can they safely return to sports?,Will my child need surgery, or is conservative treatment likely to be enough?,Are there any long-term risks, such as arthritis or permanent joint damage?,How often should we schedule follow-up visits and imaging to monitor progress?,Should my child see a physical therapist, and what exercises can be done at home?
Common questions about Osteochondrosis
What is Osteochondrosis?
Osteochondrosis is a group of conditions that affect the growing bones and cartilage in children and adolescents. In these disorders, the normal blood supply to certain areas of bone near joints is disrupted, causing the bone tissue to break down and sometimes die (a process called avascular necrosis or ischemic necrosis). This most commonly affects areas where bones are still growing, such as the knee, hip, ankle, elbow, and spine. The condition can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement in the affected joint. There are several well-known types of osteochondrosis, each named f
How is Osteochondrosis inherited?
Osteochondrosis follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Osteochondrosis typically begin?
Typical onset of Osteochondrosis is childhood. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Osteochondrosis?
Yes — 3 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Osteochondrosis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Osteochondrosis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Osteochondrosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Osteochondrosis?
3 patient support programs are currently tracked on UniteRare for Osteochondrosis. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.