...less medical jargon in a 'Quick Glance' format!
Osteochondromatosistends to affect younger people.
In this condition, small fragments of cartilage form in the synovial membrane lining the joint. These may gradually harden, detach and become loose within the affected joint. It usually only affects one joint.
The loose body can then cause pain and interfere with the movement of the joint.
It can usually be identified on X-rays.
Symptoms:
The most common symptom of an osteochondroma is a painless bump near the joints. The knee and shoulder are more commonly involved.
Solitary osteochondroma can be found at the ends of any long bone and along the pelvis and bones that make up the shoulder. If the stalk of a pedunculated osteochondroma breaks, pain and swelling may start immediately.
An osteochondroma can be located under a tendon. When it is, snapping of the tissue over the tumor may cause activity-related pain.
An osteochondroma can be located near a nerve or blood vessel, such as behind the knee. When it is, there may be numbness and tingling in that extremity. A tumor that presses on a blood vessel may cause periodic changes in blood flow. This can cause loss of pulse or changes in color of the limb. Changes in blood flow resulting from an osteochondroma are rare.
Cause: Unknown
Treatment:
. . . nonsurgical treatment
Most of the time, solitary osteochondroma is not removed surgically. The doctor will carefully observe it. He or she may want to take regular X-rays to keep track of any changes.
. . . surgical treatment
When surgery is recommended, it is best to wait until growth is complete before removing a solitary osteochondroma. This decreases the chance of the tumor growing back.
Surgery may be considered if the osteochondroma:
Is causing pain with activity
Puts pressure on a nerve or blood vessel
Has a large cap of cartilage
The osteochondroma is removed at the level of the normal bone. Some of the inside of the bone may also be removed.
