Osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, view from the left side. Computer artwork based on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of cervical vertebrae in the neck (orange). Osteochondrosis is a painful condition caused by a lack of blood supply to the bone, which leads to necrosis or death of the tissue and sometimes abnormal regrowth. It can affect many parts of the skeleton, commonly the spine, hip, foot, or wrist. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a form of medical scanning that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves.