Osteochondrosis dissecans

Osteochondrosis dissecans is a clinical picture in which part of the joint forming bone dies together with the cartilage. The causes of this are unknown, often a minor injury to the knee preceded the disease. The knee joint is most frequently affected in this disease, but other joints can also be affected.

Initially, pain occurs under stress, later on strong and shooting pains are possible with a complete restriction of the mobility in the joint. Osteochondrosis dissecans is a possible but very rare cause of chronic knee pain. The symptoms often worsen within a few weeks, so that a chronic progression is rather unusual. You can find more information about this under: Osteochondrosis dissecans

‘s disease

‘s disease is a rare disease that particularly affects people of advanced age. As with osteochondrosis dissecans, it causes the death of a joint surface. However, the middle joint-forming part of the thigh bone is affected.

The pain may first appear in the middle area of the knee joint and worsen within a short time. Due to the bone damage and subsequent transformation processes in the middle part of the knee joint, the leg is bowed. The only therapeutic method is surgery. In case of advanced damage, even a joint replacement must be considered. This topic might also be of interest to you: Pulling in the hollow of the knee – Is that dangerous?

Meniscus degeneration

The menisci are two cartilage discs that are located between the thigh and lower leg bones and enable and cushion the movements in the knee joint. The cartilages can wear out and become damaged due to heavy loads, incorrect knee positions, after injuries or due to numerous other causes. Advanced wear and tear of the menisci is called meniscus degeneration.

Advanced degeneration is similar to knee joint arthrosis. The cartilage structures cannot regenerate or be rebuilt, so that damage to the menisci is in most cases irreversible. Chronic pain and restricted mobility in the knee are the most common consequences.

Arthrofibrosis of the knee joint

Arthrofibrosis of the knee joint is a pathological, increased formation of connective tissue in the joint. The knee joint consists of a delicate balance of joint cartilage and stabilizing ligament structures. If an increase in connective tissue occurs due to inflammation or repair processes in the knee, this can result in considerable restrictions in movement and pain in the knee.

This can sometimes go as far as complete stiffening of the knee joint. The occurrence of arthrofibrosis without cause is very rare. The clinical picture often develops after operations on the knee joint. For example, mild arthrofibrosis after a cruciate ligament operation is not uncommon, resulting in slight long-term restrictions in the ability to stretch the knee. In advanced forms, the adhesions of the connective tissue can be loosened by arthroscopy.