Exostosis of the femur. What is osteocartilaginous exostosis and how to treat it

Exostosis is a bone or bone-cartilaginous growth of a bone of non-tumor etiology. Initially, an outgrowth appears on the bone, consisting of cartilage tissue, which later becomes more solid, gradually degenerating into spongy bone. The surface of the newly formed bone remains covered with cartilage, which hardens.

This cycle can be repeated indefinitely, ensuring tumor growth. The process proceeds painlessly, developing extremely slowly. Maximum size the tumor reaches ten centimeters or more. The neoplasm appears, as a rule, during the period of bone growth and the formation of the skeleton in adolescence.

Reasons for the development of exostosis

According to some experts, the reasons for the appearance this disease hereditary deviations can serve, but this theory has not received scientific confirmation.

The main factors for the occurrence of exostoses are considered to be:

  • various inflammatory processes;
  • and bone trauma
  • disturbances in the development of the periosteum and cartilage;
  • endocrine disorders;
  • infectious diseases of various etiologies.

The most significant factor provoking the appearance of exostosis is an excess of calcium in human body, which is just deposited on the bones and forms growths. High calcium levels may be due to overuse dairy products, eggs, parsley, cabbage, hard water.

The second name of ecosostosis is osteochondroma. So in medicine is called a benign bone tumor, consisting of bone and cartilage tissue. AT early childhood this disease is diagnosed extremely rarely, its development is observed mainly during puberty in adolescents.

Forms and localization of exostosis

At solitary form of osteocartilaginous exostosis, a single tumor is observed. She is immobile, and different sizes. Growing to a significant size, the neoplasm can put pressure on the nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels.

The second form is multiple exostose chondrodysplasia . In this case, several tumors are observed. It is believed that this type of disease is most prone to hereditary transmission.

The favorite places for the localization of exostosis are the femurs and tibias - they account for about half of the cases of the disease. Also in the "risk group" are the hip bone, shoulder blade, collarbone, shoulder joint. The bones of the feet and hands are extremely rarely affected, and cases of neoplasms on the cranial bones have not been officially recorded.

The most dangerous localization of exostosis is spinal column . As the tumor grows, compression is possible. spinal cord, which can lead to serious violations of the central nervous system. There is also a risk of degeneration of a benign formation into a malignant one.

Diagnosis and treatment of exostosis

The disease develops extremely slowly, this process takes place absolutely without any symptoms. Signs in the form of pain, goosebumps are possible when squeezed by a tumor blood vessels and nerves.

The disease is detected either visually (when the growth reaches enough large sizes), or accidentally during X-ray diagnostics other diseases. The final diagnosis with exostosis is established only with the help of.

Note:when determining the size and shape of the tumor, one should not forget that only bone part growth, and cartilage tissue is not defined. That's why true size neoplasms will differ from the one shown on the x-ray in a big way.

Treatment of exostosis is possible only by surgical methods. There is simply no cure for this disease. Holding prompt removal outgrowths is not recommended for persons under the age of majority, since in the process of bone tissue formation, outgrowths can disappear by themselves.

Surgery is indicated if rapid development neoplasms, especially if, due to their large size, nerves or blood vessels are infringed. The operation can be performed under anesthesia or under local anesthesia. The choice of method of anesthesia depends on the size and location of the tumor. The very technique of the intervention is quite simple, the bone formation is removed with a chisel, and the site of damage on the bone is smoothed out.

The recovery period lasts approximately a couple of weeks. If a surgical intervention was insignificant, for example, one small tumor was removed, then the very next day the patient is able to move independently. At the first stage of recovery, it is important to observe the most gentle mode of movement. After the edema completely subsides or decreases to a minimum, rehabilitation therapy begins. Recovery is reduced to exercises aimed at returning the lost muscle mass and strength. When training stops hurting physical pain and call discomfort, then the rehabilitation can be considered successfully completed.

Complications

In principle, exostosis does not apply to diseases that cause dangerous complications. But if the tumor is localized on the spine, a compression effect on the spinal cord is possible, which is fraught with the most serious consequences. Very rarely, a fracture of the leg of exostosis is diagnosed. Multiple chondrodysplasia in childhood and adolescence, in some cases, can lead to impaired proper development and skeletal deformities. Sometimes, especially with rapid growth, tumors can degenerate from benign to malignant, which most often manifest as chondrosarcoma or spindle cell sarcoma, the favorite places of localization of which are the pelvic bones, spine, femurs, shoulder blades.

Prevention

Prevention, as such, comes down to identifying exostoses at the earliest stages. Regular medical check-ups help achieve these goals. Given the risk of skeletal deformity, early diagnosis especially relevant for children and adolescents. Inspection is also necessary after injuries of the musculoskeletal system, because even a minor bruise or fracture can serve as an impetus for the onset of pathology. And as mentioned above, it is highly desirable to regularly monitor the level of calcium in the body, because people with high content calcium are at risk.

By and large, regardless of etiology, exostosis does not belong to the group dangerous diseases. The transformation of a tumor into a malignant is extremely rare. This neoplasm does not pose a serious danger to human life and health. In children, cases of cure are not uncommon, spontaneously, without medical intervention.

Tsygankova Yana Alexandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category

For almost two centuries, the behavior of bone formation has been studied, the appearance and progression of which a person does not always suspect. It is not known how common the pathology is among the population, because in most cases it is hidden, asymptomatic. Medicine has a large arsenal of surgical treatment methods, but so far there has not been a single tactic developed. Exostotic disease occurs in children, adolescents and young people aged 8-20 years during puberty. Data on the incidence of children under 6 years of age are not available.

What is exostosis

single or multiple benign neoplasm, arising on the surface of the bone from gradually hardening cartilaginous tissue, has two names - bone exostosis or osteochondroma. This tumor is from 10 mm to 10 cm in size and is spherical, spiny, mushroom-shaped, linear in shape. Responsible for the growth of skeletal tissues in adolescence, the epiphyseal plate, located at the ends of the long tubular bones of the limbs, is the platform from which the formation of osteochondroma begins.

Exostotic disease is a common primary defect, accounting for 10-12% in relation to all types of bone neoplasms and 50% to benign formations. On the initial stage development, it is a cartilage resembling an articular one, and over time it turns into a spongy bone, framed by a cartilaginous sheath up to 1 cm thick. The cartilage tissue coating constantly grows and hardens, increasing the size of the tumor. The formation is persistent, but facts have been noted when it gradually smoothed out and disappeared forever.

Reasons for the formation of exostosis

The etiology of the tumor is not always established by doctors. It is known that a single compaction occurs as a result of increased growth of cartilage tissue caused by a number of reasons, and multiple neoplasms are inherited, family diseases. There are a number external factors, contributing to the appearance of a spongy growth:

  • chronic inflammatory diseases bone or cartilage tissue;
  • intensive growth of tissues at the sites of injuries, fractures, bruises, infringements of the skeleton;
  • infectious diseases;
  • anomalies in the development of the periosteum and cartilage;
  • excess calcium in the body, stimulating the development of bone tissue;
  • increased skeletal growth during puberty in adolescents;
  • work disruption endocrine system.

Symptoms of exostosis

Signs of pathology depend on its location and size. It is sometimes difficult to detect a neoplasm, because long time its formation proceeds asymptomatically - slowly and painlessly. As a rule, a seal is discovered by chance, when it begins to be palpated and becomes noticeable upon examination. Pain syndrome occurs when the growth increases to a certain size.

With large tumor sizes, compression of blood vessels and nerves occurs, pain syndrome while driving, physical tension, pressure on the bone, and with the growth of compaction, the pain intensifies. At this stage it is also possible headache and dizziness, numbness of parts of the body, a feeling of goosebumps on the skin. Pathology is accompanied by pain syndrome during degeneration into a malignant tumor. Severe pain is characterized by exostosis of the knee joint, destruction or exfoliation of the nail under the influence of a growing growth, etc.

Forms and localization of exostoses

Osteo-cartilaginous pathologies can be divided into solitary (single) and multiple. Both types of formations have different reasons occurrence, cause different complications, affect different age categories of people:

  • solitary osteochondral exostosis - a single motionless growth, as it increases, it compresses the nearby nerve trunks and vessels, causing severe pain. Acquired disease is the result of trauma, infectious and inflammatory processes in the body. For example, after a hip fracture highly likely exostosis develops femur. In 70% of cases, the defect occurs in patients under the age of 30 years. In adolescents, the process progresses during increased growth bone tissue and stops at the end of the formation of the skeleton;
  • multiple exostose chondrodysplasia - several located in different places growths that grow, touch the adjacent bone, damage and deform the joints. Such neoplasms are diseases that are inherited according to an autosomal dominant type of inheritance, in which only one defective gene is enough for the development of pathology. A neoplasm occurs more often in patients younger than 20 years.

Initially, the defect is located on the metaphysis - a rounded, expanded end section of the tubular bone of the limb. As the skeleton grows, it shifts to the diaphysis - central department long bone. An increase in the defect occurs away from the articulation of the bones, but facts are also known in the opposite direction of growth, which leads to a violation of the functionality of the joint.

The place of localization of the neoplasm is often the pelvic, tibial and femoral bones, forearm, collarbone, shoulder blade, ribs, vertebrae, knee joints. Often there is exostosis of the calcaneus, knee joint, spine. On the phalanges of the fingers and feet, the growth rarely appears; on the skull, cases of a tumor are unknown. Marginal exostoses are formed on the bone endings.

Diagnostics

The detection of pathology often occurs unexpectedly, when touching a place where discomfort is felt. Another accident is the reflection of the tumor on an x-ray taken in connection with another disease. Often the reason for diagnostic procedures the patient complains of pain in the joints, spine, accompanied by dizziness, numbness of body parts, etc. X-ray examination is mandatory in any case - in the absence of pain syndrome and in its presence.

With a sudden increase in tumor growth, an increase in its diameter of more than 5 cm, and a thickness of the cartilage coating of more than 1 cm, urgent execution is required. x-ray. Suspicion of malignancy arises from the outlines irregular shape with fuzzy edges. Sometimes the tumor looks mottled, the bone around the focus is swollen. To clarify the diagnosis, a biopsy is performed on the basis of material taken from several sites. Sometimes you may need an MRI or CT scan.

The picture clearly shows that the contours of the underlying cancellous bone of the neoplasm merge. The cartilaginous cap is not visible, but the foci of calcification present in it are recognized. Microscopy of the cartilaginous coating clearly shows randomly arranged chondrocytes - tissue cells of different sizes. In older people, the cartilage cap may be absent. The thickness of the shell should be no more than 1 cm, with high rates it is necessary to check for the presence of a secondary, malignant chondrosarcoma.

Treatment of exostosis

In most cases, the focus of pathology behaves calmly - after the age of 20, it does not change in size, does not cause pain, does not limit the functionality of parts of the skeleton. In this case, no treatment of the defect is required, only observation of it is carried out. If a pain syndrome appears, the tumor grows rapidly, a pronounced deformation of the bone develops at the site of the tumor, discomfort is felt, and it is excised with complete removal cartilage cap and scraping the periosteum adjacent to it with a medical chisel.

If the growth is required to be removed along with the root, a bone defect may form, which must be filled with a graft. In this place bone structure will be restored only after 2 years. Preserved operations are more preferable, during which the formation is fractured at the site of transition to the maternal bone and removed as a single block. With the help of a cutter, the surface of the maternal bone is processed without removing the root of the outgrowth from it.

Exostosis

What is exostosis?

Exostosis is a bone or bone and cartilage growth of a non-tumor type on the surface of the bones (a type of linear, spherical and other formation). Exostosis in its structure consists of cartilaginous tissues (ossified in similarity as normal cartilage tissue) and therefore the name " cartilaginous» exostoses does not quite accurately show the essence of the whole process.

The process of ossification during exostosis is usually accompanied by transformation into a spongy bone, enclosed outside in a thin and dense bone shell. Surface bone exostosis- this is a layer covered with hyaline cartilage, the thickness of which is only a few millimeters. From such a cartilaginous head, the growth of the entire exostosis subsequently follows.

According to M. V. Volkov (1974), this disease accounts for 27% of all primary tumors and tumor-like skeletal dysplasia in children, and according to Adler (1983), bone cartilaginous exostoses among benign tumors bones are found in 40% of cases.

The disease occurs in two forms: multiple exostotic chondrodysplasia and solitary osteochondral exostosis. Both solitary and multiple osteochondral exostoses can affect any bone. A favorite localization is the metaphyses of long tubular bones. In 48% of all osteochondral exostoses, lesions of the distal metaphysis of the femur, proximal metaphyses of the humerus and tibia are detected. The disease is usually detected in childhood and adolescence.



Clinical symptoms depend on the form of the disease, localization, size of exostoses, their shape and relationship with surrounding organs and tissues.

With solitary lesions, as a rule, bone density is detected, motionless in relation to the bone, various sizes and forms of tumor-like formations; skin above them are usually not changed. Large osteochondral exostoses can put pressure on vessels or nerve trunks, causing pain. The location of exostoses in the region of the spine with their growth to the side spinal canal can cause spinal cord compression.

At plural form Exostotic chondrodysplasia often comes to the fore with symptoms such as short stature, club hand, deformity of the knee joints. Large exostoses are often the cause of severe deformities caused by exostosis bulging beyond the bone, its pressure on the adjacent bone and its curvature, violation of the epiphyseal growth zone and underdevelopment of the epiphysis. The latter often leads to the development of radial or ulnar clubhand (with underdevelopment of the epiphysis of the radial or ulna), valgus or varus deformity.

X-ray picture. At the beginning of their development, exostoses are located in close proximity to the epiphyseal cartilaginous plate from the side of the metaphysis. With bone growth, moving away from the epiphysis, exostosis can be located in the diaphyseal part of the bone. By the remoteness of exostosis from the epiphysis, one can judge the prescription of its appearance. Form of exostoses The growth of exostosis usually continues during the period of bone growth, but sometimes an increase in its size is also noted after the closure of the growth zones.

One of the terrible complications of the course of osteochondral exostoses is their malignancy. According to different authors, such complications occur in 3-25% of cases. Cartilaginous coverings of exostosis undergo regeneration, pronounced proliferation, massive growths of cartilaginous tissue occur. More often, malignancy is observed in adult patients. Regenerating exostoses are localized mainly on the bones of the pelvis, tibia, femur and humerus.

Treatment of osteochondral exostoses is only surgical. depends on their location.

Causes of exostosis

The reasons for the formation of exostosis can be inflammatory process, contusion, infringement, periosteal and cartilage anomalies, infectious diseases such as syphilis, insufficiency of the functions of the endocrine system or its individual glands. Exostosis is presented, in general, as a persistent formation, however, there are cases when the process of formation of exostosis decreases over time and exostosis disappears forever.

Often, slowly increasing and not causing pain, exostosis is not noted clinical symptoms, remaining invisible to both the patient and the doctor. Exostosis is found in x-ray examination, or on palpation of seals that are already visible on examination.

A large number of scientific works devoted to clarifying the causes of exostosis, their attention is directed to the study of heredity in this disease. However, even the presence in certain cases of family exostoses, which are inherited, does not yet give any grounds for explaining the occurrence of this disease.

Osteocartilaginous exostosis

Osteocartilaginous exostosis may go unnoticed for a long time, since the growth of osteochondral exostosis is often not accompanied by symptoms. Exostosis can be detected by chance, for example, during an x-ray examination or when establishing growths or seals.

Often, bone growths do not appear until the age of 8, however, during the active growth of the skeleton in the period from 8 to 16 years, activation and exostosis can occur. Accelerated development of osteocartilaginous exostosis is observed during puberty and is found on the fibula and tibia, as well as in the lower part of the thigh, on the shoulder blade and collarbone.

Osteocartilaginous exostosis affects the hands and feet much less frequently and never affects the skull area. The number of growths in osteocartilaginous exostosis can vary - from units to tens, a similar situation with sizes - from a pea to a large orange. It is not always possible to carry out probing of exostoses during research, therefore, for exact definition their number is applied radiography. it the only way to obtain data on the size, shape and structure of osteochondral exostosis.

There are two types of osteocartilaginous exostosis: solitary osteochondral exostosis and multiple exostose chondrodysplasia. Both types of exostoses can affect any bone. A favorite localization is the metaphyses of a long tubular bone. 50% of all osteochondral exostoses are marked by lesions of the femur, proximal metaphysis shoulder joint and tibia. Osteocartilaginous exostosis usually manifests itself in adolescence and childhood.

Diagnostic methods

Clinical picture with osteocartilaginous exostosis depends on the form of the disease, its localization, the size of exostoses, the shape and connection with nearby tissues and organs. Exostoses of enormous size can affect the nerve trunks and blood vessels, while causing pain. Osteocartilaginous exostosis in the region of the spine, with further growth into the region of the spinal canal, can lead to compression of the spinal cord.

Diagnosis of exostoses is impossible without radiographic examination. Since in most cases, it is not possible to detect the formed outgrowth during palpation. Carrying out radiography allows you to get an idea of ​​the number of exostoses, the shape of growths, their size, structure and development. In this case, it should be borne in mind that the cartilaginous cover covering the growth from the outside is not visible on the x-ray. That is, the true dimensions of exostosis are always larger than seen in the picture. This circumstance is especially pronounced in children, since in them the size of the upper cartilaginous outgrowth often reaches 8-10 mm.

Treatment

There are no methods conservative treatment exostosis. It is only possible to carry out surgical operation. In which case, it is necessary to do the operation: If there is fast growth exostoses. If the growths compress the nerves or blood vessels. If the growth is so large that it appears visually. They try not to perform operations on children before they reach the age of 18, since they often have an independent resolution of exostoses. However, if the growths cause discomfort or increase in size very quickly, then surgery is necessary. Surgical treatment exostosis can be performed under general or local anesthesia. The choice of method of anesthesia depends on the localization of the growth and its size. The technique of the operation is to remove the bone growth with a chisel. Then the bone is smoothed. In most cases, the operation is performed through a small incision. The rehabilitation period after the operation to remove exostosis takes no more than 14 days. In the case of removal of a single growth, the patient can begin to get up on the day of the operation. At the first stage after the operation, a gentle motor mode is recommended. Then, after the reduction of edema, a recovery-training regimen is prescribed. Need to restore muscle strength, range of motion. It is very important that the movements during the training process do not cause pain. Training at the first stage is carried out under the guidance of a physiotherapist, then continues independently.

Treatment of exostosis with surgery

Treatment of exostoses is only surgical. In the case of the formation of multiple exostoses, the first step is to remove the overgrown areas of bone tissue that compress the nerves and blood vessels. Treatment of exostosis by surgery is carried out by orthopedic traumatologists under general or local anesthesia, depending on the size of the growths on the surface of the bone and their localization. During the operation, the overgrown areas of bone tissue are removed, followed by smoothing.

In the treatment of exostosis in our center of traumatology and orthopedics, an operation is performed with minimal tissue trauma and the use of modern technology, as well as with the imposition of internal cosmetic sutures, which allows you to return to active image life in the shortest possible time. Timely methods for diagnosing exostosis with further effective treatment(if necessary) help to avoid subsequent complications of this disease.

Complications of exostosis

At large exostoses perhaps their pressure on neighboring bones, while sometimes there are defects in the bones, deformation of the bones of the limbs. In very rare cases fractures of the leg of exostosis are observed. The most formidable complication is the transformation of exostosis into a malignant tumor. Most often, a malignant transition occurs with exostoses of the thigh, shoulder blade, pelvis, vertebrae; histologically, such osteogenic sarcoma can have the structure of chondrosarcoma, chondromyxosarcoma and spindle cell sarcoma, i.e., a malignant tumor of a very different morphological structure.

Prevention

The only prevention of exostosis is a regular examination, preventive examination. It is especially important to carry it out among children, since the formation of exostosis can cause improper development skeleton and cause a lot of trouble in the future.

Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation

FGBOU VPO

in physical education

on the topic: Exostotic disease

Performed:

Art. gr. B445 Kan A.R.

Checked:

Batueva D. V.

It may be a sign of exostosis, in which a growth appears on the bone tissue. Basically, the disease does not pose a threat to life, but requires timely examination and competent treatment.

Sometimes for summer vacation the child is going sudden jump in growth. It is this period that is high risk in terms of exostoses. This is such a benign bone growth. Most often it takes the form of a mushroom. The build-up also does not have a certain limitation in growth.

There are no specific location zones - exostoses often develop in all sorts of places.

How does the formation process take place? exostosis in children and adults:

  • the growth is formed by their cartilage elements;
  • the neoplasm tissue becomes denser;
  • dense cartilage is transformed into a spongy bone neoplasm;
  • the outer shell of the tumor resembles a bone "shell";
  • the cartilage that is outside the "shell" hardens again and the growth increases in size;
  • exostosis continues to grow.

The tumor begins its development with cartilage, which then turns into bone. Due to the peculiarities of its formation, pathology is called osteocartilaginous exostosis .


Reasons for the development of exostosis

Determine the main factor of occurrence exostose disease scientists still haven't been able to. Some researchers believe that important role plays genetic predisposition, but this hypothesis has not been officially confirmed.

Exostosis does not have a specific place for formation - it can equally form in the tissues of the spine or in oral cavity. But the tissue begins to grow in excess precisely in places of recent injury or surgery.

External factors that affect the development of pathology:

  • acute or chronic inflammation;
  • dislocations, cracks, fractures of bones;
  • hormonal disbalance;
  • chondromatosis of bones;
  • pathological development of cartilage;
  • aseptic necrosis;
  • the presence of tumors;
  • syphilis;
  • chronic joint problems;
  • osteomyelitis.

In addition to intensive growth, a tumor can develop in children due to pathological abnormalities in the development of the skeleton. Another factor that provokes osteochondroma (the second name of the pathology) is an excessive amount of calcium. Although calcium is the main component of bone tissue, its excess can accumulate in one place and provoke the growth of exostoses. Then the patient should limit the use of:

  • milk and cheese;
  • broccoli;
  • nuts;
  • fish;
  • spinach.

In young children, pathology is diagnosed very rarely. It is not always possible for physicians to determine the causes of exostosis. But in any case, treatment should be started immediately.


Forms and localization of exostosis

A benign neoplasm (or osteochondroma) in medical practice is divided into two types:

  1. Solitary exostosis. The chance of transforming such a growth into a malignant tumor is 1%. This type is one fixed growth that grows in size. Large exostosis negatively affects work circulatory system and nerve endings.
  2. Multiple chondrodysplasia. Already one name suggests that there are several tumors and they arise in different places. This species is rare, but scientists consider it as a hereditary disease.

According to statistics, more than 50% of cases exostose disease occur in the bones lower extremities: femoral and tibial. Other "favorite" places of the disease:

  • shoulder girdle (especially collarbone);
  • hip joints;
  • ribs;
  • shoulder blades.

Occasionally:

  • Hands;
  • feet.

There are no recorded cases of osteochondroma occurring on the bones of the skull. The danger is exostoses of the spine. There is a possibility of damage to the spinal cord, which in turn provokes a malfunction of the central nervous system. Even a benign defect interferes normal operation vertebrae. If the pathology struck knee-joint, an inflammatory process may begin, the joint is deformed and loses its mobility.


Symptoms and signs

Usually, Clinical signs pathologies are absent. The patient is generally unaware of the presence of osteochondroma. None external signs There is no tumor and it is almost impossible to notice it. A bone outgrowth is detected, mainly by chance during a planned radiography, since it is quite difficult to feel exostosis during palpation, especially if it small size. Up to ten growths can sometimes be found on the human skeleton, the size of which varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters. But still there are certain symptoms, in the presence of which exostosis can be suspected:

  • discomfort during physical activity;
  • periodic pain in the head;
  • loss of sensation;
  • feeling of compression of the bone during physical exertion;
  • dizziness;
  • limitation of mobility at the site of growth;
  • large exostoses can be felt on palpation on their own.

As the neoplasm increases, the pain will increase accordingly.

Diagnostics

The progress of the build-up is slow, so the patient notices a large build-up by chance, during palpation. The second option for identifying the disease is radiography during a general check. The X-ray machine does not fix the cartilaginous elements around the osteochondroma, so the tumor is larger than on the x-ray. The doctor also listens to the patient's complaints, studies the possibility of heredity of the disease and other circumstances.

Usually, an x-ray is enough to substantiate the diagnosis. What it shows:

  • the number of tumors;
  • their shape;
  • stage of the disease.

And although cancer rarely occurs with exostosis, there is still a need to take a biopsy and establish cellular composition growth tissue. Be sure to take the test if the tumor continues to grow in size.


Treatment of exostosis

Unfortunately, the treatment of exostosis without surgery impossible. Medicines that will help get rid of the disease simply do not exist. That's why surgical intervention- the only one possible method get rid of the growth. When is tumor removal unnecessary?

  • age from 18 years;
  • the growth does not increase in size;
  • the patient does not feel any discomfort;
  • the health of the patient is not in danger.

In no case should you independently apply any methods of therapy, especially physiotherapy. This can only activate the growth and cause the formation of malignant cells.

When is surgery necessary and removal of exostosis:

  • severe pain at the site of its localization;
  • motor activity is limited;
  • large growth size;
  • nerve endings and blood vessels are infringed through the growth;
  • high probability of transformation of the tumor into malignant;
  • pronounced cosmetic defect.

The operation can be carried out both under local and under general anesthesia It all depends on the characteristics of the tumor. Long-term preparation is not required, the rehabilitation period also proceeds quite quickly - from several weeks to several days. After surgery, it is better to limit motor activity. If there is a slight swelling and pain - this is the norm.

Rehabilitation is about doing special exercises. When the muscles are strengthened and training does not cause discomfort, we can say that the patient has completely recovered.


Treatment for children

If osteochondroma was diagnosed in a child under 18 years of age, the operation may not be prescribed. The bone growth may completely disappear before the child reaches adulthood. But if there are absolute readings then surgery is necessary. When is surgery needed?

  • pinching of nerve endings and blood vessels;
  • the work of the joints brings discomfort;
  • degeneration of the growth into a potential malignant tumor (chondroma);
  • bone deformity;
  • rapid increase in neoplasm.

If several tumors are found in the body, only the one that causes problems is removed. The cost of the operation to remove exostosis starts from 15 thousand rubles.

Many parents try to exostosis treatment folk methods. Compresses, decoctions and tinctures will not harm health, but they will not cure osteochondroma either. Although reception herbal decoctions also has a preventive purpose.

It is important not to try to treat the child with medicines. Not only will this not work, but it can also have serious consequences.


Complications

Often the patient does not even suspect that he has a growth on the bone tissue. But this does not save him from the possibility of complications. Although exostosis cannot be considered a disease that poses a serious threat to health, certain factors can trigger the growth of pathological malignant cells. This option for a patient with exostosis is unfavorable - chondrosarcoma occurs, malignant tumor. It is found most often in the hip joint, femurs or spinal column.

Other possible negative effects:

  • change in the shape of the bones;
  • growth false joint(rarely);
  • fracture of the base of the growth;
  • constant pressure on the spinal cord;
  • wrong physical formation child.

Therefore, if any signs of exostosis are found, you should consult a doctor and begin treatment.


Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of exostosis will help permanent scheduled checkups. Radiography allows you to notice the neoplasm at the stage of inception and quickly remove it. The operation to destroy small growths is very fast and does not require long recovery. It is also important to regularly examine children during their period of active growth.

Regularly you need to monitor the condition of the bones at the site of fracture or dislocation and after surgery. It is also advisable for people who have an increased calcium content in the blood to conduct an annual examination.

Of course, it will never be superfluous to follow the usual rules of prevention:

  • proper nutrition;
  • sport;
  • hardening;
  • daily walks.

Exostoses are not a serious pathology. People with these tumors often never complain about their health and may not even be aware of their problem. The formation of malignant cells is rare. In children, osteochondroma often disappears on its own, without any surgical intervention.

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Exostoses of the spine, which are also called benign formations, resembling a growth on the surface of the bone. This pathology is most often not independent and refers to complications of a variety of diseases.

Exostoses can have the most different shape and dimensions, in the most advanced cases they can exceed 10 cm.

First, the growth appears in the cartilage region, and only after some time it ossifies and becomes spongy bone. Outside, it is covered with a shell - very thin and very durable. Further growth occurs due to the presence of a certain amount of hyaline cartilage in this surface.

As a rule, exostoses do not go away on their own, and only in the most rare cases can they resolve on their own. But usually they actively grow and increase in size.

Most often diagnosed before the age of 20 years, which is associated with the growth of the skeleton. In adults, these neoplasms are rare.

The reasons

The reasons for the development of these growths can be the most various diseases and pathological conditions, for example:

  1. Injuries and bruises.
  2. Infringement of the periosteum.
  3. Consequence of chronic inflammatory process in the bones.
  4. Violations in the work of the endocrine system.
  5. Link breaks.
  6. Operations.
  7. Syphilis.
  8. Spinal anomalies.
  9. Chondromatosis.

There is also a hereditary predisposition. But it also happens that it is not possible to understand the cause of the appearance of this pathology, and then the disease is called idiopathic.

How does it manifest

The clinical picture of this pathology can be very different, and it all depends on where the exostosis is located. Some ask what is marginal exostoses vertebral bodies. The answer to this question is quite simple - bone formations, which are located along the edges of the bone.

Most often, the disease proceeds without any manifestations, and anomalies are detected only with x-rays. Sometimes they can grow to such a size that they become visible even to the naked eye.

The growths can cause pain and discomfort, as well as restrict movement. It also happens that without treatment, the growth gradually degenerates and becomes a real malignant tumor.

You should know that exostoses appear quite rarely in the region of the spine. Most often, their location is tubular bones limbs, and joints. The most commonly affected are the tibia, femur, forearm, pelvis, collarbone, scapula, and ribs.

Another rare location is the phalanges of the fingers. Here, their diameter most often does not exceed 1 cm. It is this arrangement that most often causes pain and deformation of the nail plate.

The growths located in other places do not cause pain. If pain does occur, then we can talk about the development of the oncological process.

It also happens that osteochondromas are located along the bone and there can be several of them at once. This may cause deformation bone skeleton what happens due to violation normal growth bone tissue.

When located on the vertebrae, there is a great danger that the osteochondroma will begin to grow inward, which will cause severe irreversible damage to the spinal cord, and here the symptoms will already be expressed very clearly.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is based on examination and palpation of the suspected sites of development. bone growths. To clarify it, it is very important to conduct x-rays. Often the disease has no symptoms and is found by chance.

At the same time, it is quite difficult to find out the true size of the formation using radiography, since this technique does not allow you to see the cartilage tissue.

Treatment

When the exostosis is small and does not bother you in any way, it is simply monitored periodically. Treatment is not prescribed. However, in no case should physiotherapy be used, as it can provoke the development of a cancerous tumor.

If the formation begins to grow and becomes visible, an operation is performed to remove it. Not only the growth is removed, but also the periosteum - this helps prevent the development of relapse.

Rehabilitation after such treatment is 10-15 days. But if such a neoplasm suddenly appeared on the knee, then after its removal, the limb is immobilized with a plaster splint for a period of 2 weeks.

At proper treatment recovery occurs fairly quickly and relapses do not occur.

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