What is osteochondroma?

Osteochondroma is an overgrowth of cartilage and bone that happens at the end of the bone near the growth plate. It usually grows as the child grows and stops when the child reaches skeletal maturity. Most often, it affects the long bones in the leg, the pelvis, or the shoulder blade.

Osteochondroma is the most common noncancerous bone growth. It most often occurs between ages 10 and 30.

What causes osteochondroma?

While the exact cause of osteochondroma is not known. There is 1 type that is inherited and 1 type that isn't inherited.

What are the symptoms of osteochondroma?

These are the most common symptoms of osteochondroma:

• A hard growth on a bone that is painless and doesn't move

• Lower-than-normal-height for age

• A leg or arm that is longer than the other

• Pressure or irritation with activity

• Soreness of the nearby muscles or tendons

• Numbness or tingling

Often, people with osteochondroma will have no symptoms at all.

When they do happen, symptoms of osteochondroma may look like other health problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is osteochondroma diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will review your health history and do a physical exam. Other tests include:  

• X-ray. This test uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to make images of tissues, bones, and organs.

• CT scan. This test uses X-rays and a computer to make images of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

• MRI. This test uses large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures in the body.

How is osteochondroma treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Treatment for osteochondroma varies depending on the size of the growth and your symptoms. Treatment may include:

• Surgery to remove the growth

• Medicines to control pain

If there is no sign of a bone getting weak or increased overgrowth, your healthcare provider may want to watch it over time. Careful follow-up with a provider to keep track of bone growth may be advised.

Key points about osteochondroma

• Osteochondroma is an overgrowth of cartilage and bone at the end of the bone near the growth plate.

• Most often, it affects the long bones in the leg, pelvis, or shoulder blade.

• The exact cause of osteochondroma is not known.

• Symptoms may include a hard, painless growth on a bone that doesn't move, short height for age, muscle soreness, and a leg or arm that is longer than the other.

• Treatment may include surgery to remove the growth or medicines to control the pain.

• Careful follow-up with your healthcare provider may be advised to check bone growth.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your healthcare provider tells you.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.

• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is advised and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your healthcare provider if you have questions, especially after office hours or on weekends.