Enchondroma - a type of benign tumor A benign tumor - is not always safe   cartilage tissue that develops inside the bone. The growth of such tumors usually begins in childhood, and at some point stopped, but the actual tumors persist throughout life. They are often found in patients aged 10 to 20 years.

Enchondroma are very common; most often they occur in the small bones of the hands and feet. Sometimes they appear in the long bones of the arms and legs. In rare cases, multiple tumors of this type can be part of the syndrome, such as disease or syndrome Ollier Mafuchchi.

Separate enchondroma may be cancer, but such cases are extremely rare. In these cases, the tumor usually becomes chondrosarcoma. Distinguish between benign and malignant tumors Malignant tumor: cells are mad   cartilage can be difficult even for an experienced surgeon.

Causes

Causes of enchondroma are unclear, but doctors believe that it is not related to radiation exposure Radiation and its biological effect: gently infected! , Harmful chemicals, and any activities of the patient.

Symptoms

Enchondroma usually does not cause pain to the patient. Tumors in the hands, feet and / or multiple tumors may lead to bone deformation. In such cases the symptoms can be enlarged enchondroma fingers, pathological fractures or deformation.

In patients with Ollier disease and syndrome Mafuchchi deformation of the bones can be very serious.

If a patient with a tumor of cartilage complains of pain, particularly pain at night, you need to have a very thorough examination - perhaps his tumor became malignant.

Diagnostics

In most cases, enchondroma detected when patients undergo X-ray. In identifying the tumor is assigned a survey to make sure that it is not cancerous. For this purpose, various methods of medical imaging, in addition, a doctor must obtain detailed information about the symptoms of the disease available to patients, in particular, and the nature of the pain, if any.

As a rule, the most important information about enchondroma provides an X-ray. On the X-ray enchondroma look like small (measuring less than 5 cm) bright spots in the middle of the bone. Figure in the form of rings or arcs, which can be seen in the tumor indicates that it contains cartilage.

In most cases, the diagnostic enchondroma rather simple X-ray examination. Sometimes also used computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging - these types of medical imaging provide a more complete picture of the bone tissue surrounding the tumor.

In some cases, bone scans, however, and benign and malignant tumors characterized by increased absorption of radioactive material which is used to detect increased activity of bone tissue.

Treatment

• Non-surgical treatments

In most cases enchondroma do not need treatment. If the tumor has no symptoms, doctors recommend only undergo regular X-ray examination to monitor the possible growth of enchondroma. Most doctors believe that tumors of cartilage, not causing symptoms do not need to be removed.

• Surgical treatments

In those cases where enhondromu treated by surgical methods, the tumor is usually scraped and placed in the cavity special filler. Although enchondroma may start to grow again, in most cases this does not happen.

If the tumor causes pathological fractures, it is necessary primarily to fracture healing. Because the tumor is scraped to prevent fractures in the future.

The more aggressive the tumor, destroying the bone and continues to grow beyond the bone, usually chondrosarcoma. These tumors should be removed. Depending on the stage of the disease, the tumor was removed or scraped together with the bone.

On the methods of treatment of tumors of cartilage, which on X-rays look like simple enchondroma, but cause pain, among experts there is no consensus. Some surgeons recommend scrape such tumors, as in previous cases. Others believe that these tumors do not need to be removed because the pain is not necessarily caused by enchondroma. In order to identify or eliminate possible other causes of pain can be assigned a medical examination with a wide variety of diagnostic methods.

Osteochondritis dissecans or illness Koenig Koenig's disease - causes are still unknown , A violation that occurs when a piece of cartilage and a thin layer of bone detached from the end of the bones due to insufficient blood supply. Disconnect the tissue can remain in place or fall into the joint space, making the joint unstable. Osteochondritis dissecans is particularly often observed in the knee joint, but it can also affect other joints.

Symptoms

In osteochondritis dissecans may include the following symptoms:

• Swelling in the affected joint;
• Limited joint mobility, for example, the inability to fully extend the arm or leg;
• Pain in the affected joint, especially after exercise;
• Joint stiffness after rest;
• Clicking sound when moving the joint.

If you have any of these symptoms should undergo a medical examination to identify possible causes (this may be not only osteochondritis dissecans, and fractures or cracks in the bones).

Causes and risk factors

Osteochondritis dissecans can develop in almost any man, but most often it occurs in males aged 10 to 20 years. It is assumed that the development of disorders associated with high physical activity of the patient. Among girls and women osteochondritis dissecans is usually observed in those who are actively involved in sports.

Diagnostics

If osteochondritis dissecans is suspected, the doctor usually recommends the patient to undergo X-ray examination. For example, if signs of there in one knee, taking pictures of both joints, to compare the affected joint with a healthy. X-rays reveal If osteochondritis dissecans may need magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography - these diagnostic procedures will help to establish whether there was a fragment disconnect fabric in place, or move in joint space.

Treatment

If a fragment of tissue is unstable (ie, if it is moved), you may need surgery to remove it or secure in place. If the fragment is in place, the operation is not required; the patient may be recommended rest, joint fixing in sport and ibuprofen Ibuprofen: anti-inflammatory drug   for pain and inflammation.

Typically, patients are advised to avoid physical activity that causes pain and discomfort, and 6-8 weeks to refuse to participate in sports competitions. A physical therapist can prescribe special stretching exercises Stretching exercises - Be careful   and swimming.

Young patients with osteochondritis dissecans have a good chance to return to the previous level of physical activity, even though they may not be able to engage in sports that require repetitive motions, such as tennis. Adults are more likely to require treatment by surgery, and they are much more difficult to fully recover after treatment. They have a pretty good chance of developing arthritis Arthritis - a variety of forms and complications   in the affected joint.