What Causes Elbow Pain?

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Osteochondritis dissecans is a condition that causes the bone underneath the protective cartilage tissue in a joint to disintegrate from poor blood flow. The dead bone tissue can cause the piece of cartilage protecting the bone to snap off and leave a raw and unprotected bone in the joint. The causes of osteochondritis dissecans are not clear, but some patients are thought to have a genetic factor in the development of their bone condition. The most common symptom of osteochondritis dissecans is the sensation of pain in the affected joint, such as the elbow. The pain that develops is most often triggered by the physical use of the joint like when playing sports, lifting heavy objects, and making swinging motions with the arm.