Kohler Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Kohler Disease is one of the rarest pediatric bone diseases. This disease causes stress like pressure on the feet of the children resulting in bone compression of one or both feet. This hampers the daily routine activity of the child for some time being. This is seen in the kids of age 3-7 and researchers believed that female child is more vulnerable to Kohler Disease than male children.

The key highlight of this disease is, it recovers within a few weeks with or without medications! The child will regain the structure and get relief from pain within 3-5 weeks of disease development. The pain however in some cases takes years to wear off.

Summary: Kohler Disease is a rare bone disease that can only be seen in children between the age of 3-7 years.

The symptoms of Kohler Disease are as common as a normal food injury. From the outside, it is hard to identify the difference between Kohler Disease and others. So it is important to have a doctor’s check-up in case the child shows these symptoms more than 24hrs without any progress in recovery:

• Swollen foot
• Redness
• Painful while putting pressure
• Limping
• Interrupted bone flow in the navicular bone

Summary: Symptoms of Kohler Disease are as common as any foot injury, but one thing that makes it different is the duration and interrupted bone flow in the navicular bone of a child's foot.

The prime reason why this happens is still under shades. The doctors are looking for the source whether it is genetic or something else. But the scientist has come up with some theories that might support the cause of Kohler Disease.

Scientists believe that it might be possible that navicular bone ( the target area) is fragile from the younger stage due to weak bone formation (ossification). Bone ossification takes its place at the age of 1-3 years, resulting in an unbalanced ratio of cartilage to bone.

This makes the whole foot structure vulnerable enough to get damaged after sudden pressure like jump, twist, etc.

Summary: No specific reason has been brought up in the light which can show the development of Kohler Disease, however, there are some theories that might define its existence.

Since there is no cause of disease to find, it is hard to diagnose Kohler Disease. Its physical symptoms are quite identical to a foot injury. So your doctor will conduct a screening test like an X-ray to see the internal structure of the bone. The results are then compared to the healthy side, indicating that Kohler Disease is present.

Summary: Diagnoses of Kohler Disease are conducted with the help of a screening test. These tests determine the weak cartilage structure of the foot.

Since the reason behind Kohler Disease is still unknown, prevention of medical conditions is not possible. Although, the disease is associated with poor skeletal structure so you can always keep the nutrient intake of the child in check.

Summary: Prevention of diseases like Kohler Disease is a farfetched concept for now.

Pain in the ankles can happen due to many reasons. So it is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis. If you experience any symptoms identical to Kohler’s Disease, consult your orthopaedic to have a complete analysis of the situation.

Summary: Kohler’s Disease symptoms are identical to many physical disorders, so it's important to consult your doctor in case of ankle pain.

The nature of the disease is unknown the medical science, but researchers have seen some significant progress. Kohler's Disease does go away on its own within a few weeks without medications. However, pain associated with the disease can last long up to two years.

Summary: Kohler's Disease can be resolved without any medical treatment within a few weeks of its development.

In most cases, the diseased doesn't even need medical aid. Surprisingly this type of disease cures on its own within a few weeks or top 6 months. So your doctor will prescribe the child some painkillers and weight-bearing short-leg plaster casts or supporting shoes to ease out the pain during the healing process.

The disease has a full recovery rate and does not have any long-term consequences in teenagers or adulthood.

Summary: Kohler Disease is a self-healing disease with a recovery period of 3-6 months. However, it is important to seek medical care to get supporters and pain killers to deal with the healing process.

The Kohler Disease patient's diet is geared toward total health and well-being. There really is no particular diet that will help you decrease the seriousness of the disease. However, one can take advice from your doctor about diet programs that are right for you.

Summary: Any food intake will not be able to control Kohler’s Disease. Consult your doctor to determine the best nutrition plan for you.

No specific restrictions are defined for Kohler’s Disease patients in order to enhance the treatment. Consult your doctor to know a suitable diet plan for you.

Summary: No specific food guidelines are present to prevent or cure the effects of Kohler’s Disease.

The side effects of the treatment for Kohler’s Disease are determined by the composition of the pain reliever your doctor prescribed to help you manage your pain while you heal.

Finally, there are no documented side effects related to the therapy of Kohler's Disease. If you have any discomfort after treatment, please contact your doctor right once.

Since the nature of the disease is self-healing and its symptoms have a mild impact on a child’s body. The disease does not come under an emergency, but it is important to see the doctor as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and have a suitable prescription of pain killers.

Summary: The treatment of the disease works on a self-working mechanism which makes it a non-emergency case.

The recovery period of Kohler's Disease may vary from two weeks to six months depending on the weakness of the navicular bone. The pain associated with the healing process may take a year or two to completely fade away its existence.

Summary: The recovery period of Kohler's Disease may vary in the individual cases depending on damaged caused in the navicular bone.

Since there is not much left to treat in Kohler Disease, the cost of treatment may come out to be very less. In India, the cost of Kohler Disease treatment only includes consultations, screening tests, and medications that are used to manage the pain. This may cost you around 2-3 thousand a year. If the doctor prescribed the child supporters then the cost may vary.

Summary: The average cost of Kohler Disease treatment is around 3-5 thousand a year depending on the consultation, screening test, and medications.

Physical activities will be limited to the patient with Kohler Disease. This is because of two reasons. Firstly the weakness in the ankle bone will not allow the child to have normal locomotion. Secondly, the more child puts pressure on the foot the more it will increase the risk of wear and tear which can be dangerous for the health of the patient.

Summary: Physical exercise or activity will be limited as it will increase the risk of damage to the fragile structure of the ankle bones.

The only medication which is prescribed under Kohler Disease treatment is painkillers. But since it’s a pediatric disease, the medicine needs to be given as per the age, gender, etc. of the patient.

Summary: Pain killers are the only medications that are prescribed under the management course of Kohler Disease.

The nature of the disease is unknown the medical science, but researchers have seen some significant progress. Kohler’s Disease goes away on its own within a few weeks without any medications. The has a 100% recovery rate without any side effects of future complications. However, pain associated with the disease can last long up to two years.

Summary: Kohler’s Disease can be permanently resolved without any medical treatment within a few weeks of development.

There is no alternative to medication or therapy for the management of the disease. If you are dissatisfied with your current treatment, you can always seek medical advice.

Summary: In the absence of a defined treatment plan, your doctor will devise one based on your current symptoms.

Kohler Disease patients are suited for the therapy. Kids who have the same symptoms as the ones listed above can also see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Children who are not suffering from Kohler's Disease are not eligible for the treatment.

There are no post-treatment guidelines present at the movement for Kohler Disease. The medical condition has a 100% recovery rate so one might say it does not need any post-treatment care. Post recovery, the child can have a normal lifestyle without any weakness or medical complications throughout life.

Summary: There are no post-treatment guidelines defined at the movement for the treatment of Kohler Disease.

Summary: Kohler’s Disease is one of the rarest pediatric bone diseases. This disease causes stress like pressure on the feet of the children resulting in bone compression of one or both feet. The major reason for this is still hidden in the shadows. But the good news is it is a self-healing disease that does not need any form of extensive medical aid to recover. Within 3-6 months the child will recover on its own without any future complications.