Index
Definition: is defined as the development of a union between two bones through the formation of hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
A synchondrosis is usually temporary and exists during the growth phase until the intermediate cartilage becomes thinner during skeletal maturation and eventually obliterates and becomes bone before adult life.
In simple terms, a synchondrosis is a cartilaginous joint. It only allows a slight movement between the bones than the synovial joint, which has a much greater range of motion.
The cartilaginous joints can be found throughout the human body in the symphysis pubis, between the ribs and the sternum, between the vertebrae in the spine, and in the growth plates between the epiphysis, the metaphysis of the tubular bones.
Synchondrosis is a type of joint that is connected to cartilage. Such joints are rigid and very strong and can be found in various body areas.
Many appear only in childhood, disappearing as people mature into adulthood.
Such joints provide limited flexibility where needed, without the range of motion found in other types of joints. This makes synchondrosis more stable and supportive.
Disorders associated with this joint
The most common disorder associated with synchondrosis is an alteration of the epiphyseal hyaline cartilage plate. This is particularly evident in the proximal femur, specifically related to the hip.
This disorder occurs mainly in young children due to falls or other trauma.
This plaque disruption can cause fractures, interruption of the blood supply, and hip deformity if not treated properly. The medical term for this disorder slips the femoral capital epiphysis.
The skull also has several syndromes. When people are born, the head comprises a series of plates connected to the cartilage.
This allows the skull space to grow, so babies do not need to be born with full-sized heads to protect the brain. The seams between the skull plates gradually harden and soften as people grow.
In some museums, you can see specimens of skulls of people of different ages, illustrating how the rigid lines found in younger heads gradually fade with age.
People with connective tissue disorders can sometimes develop problems with synchondrosis.
This can be the result of excessive cartilage production or excessive cartilage breakdown. Because these joints are often sites of rapid growth in childhood and adolescence, they can also become cancerous.
Cancers that develop in the bone can cause bone pain and weakness and can be identified with medical imaging studies that will reveal growths in or on the bone.
Treatment options are available to treat cartilage overgrowths and other problems that can develop with the bones.
Morphologically, a synchondrosis is similar to the long bone growth plate, except that the growth in synchondrosis is not unipolar but bipolar.
Synchondrosis can be considered two growth plates placed back to back to share a standard zone of actively proliferating chondroblasts or the “resting zone.”
The different areas of synchondrosis are reflected together so that there is cartilage in the center and bone at each end.
Types
Intraoccipital synchondrosis is completely ossified for five weeks of postnatal development, while intrasphenoid and spheno-occipital synchondrosis retain little cartilage in adulthood.
It is difficult to estimate precisely how common synchondrosis is because many people with mild cartilage damage do not seek medical help. However, it is thought that cartilage damage is quite common.
In the United Kingdom, around 10,000 people have severe cartilage damage that requires treatment.
Cases of accidental synchondrosis are more common in people under 35 years of age. This is because this age group is more likely to participate in sports activities with a higher risk of injury than older people.
The synchondrosis associated with osteoarthritis is more common in adults 50 years or older. It is also more common in women than in men.
Synchondrosis symptoms
Patients with synchondrosis lesions often develop some degree of growth deformity, sometimes quite significant.
The sequelae are the deterioration of growth, premature fusion of growth plates, epiphyseal malposition, and osteonecrosis.
Growth plate injuries can occur in the knee, the ankle (triplane fracture, Tillaux fracture), the shoulder (Little League shoulder syndrome), the elbow, and the femoral head (femoral upper-femoral epiphysis).
Diagnosis
In many cases, patients who have joint injuries, such as meniscus or ligament tears, will also have cartilage damage.
This damage can be challenging because the hyaline cartilage does not contain calcium and can not be seen on an x-ray. If there are other injuries with cartilage damage, doctors will address all the problems during surgery.
Most of the candidates are young adults with only one injury. Older patients, or those with many injuries to a joint, are less likely to benefit from surgery.
The knee is the most common area for cartilage restoration. Ankle and shoulder problems can also be treated.
Treatment of synchondrosis
The treatment of epiphyseal lesions must consider the pathophysiology of epiphyseal synchondrosis. According to the current state of knowledge, type I and type V lesions.
