Highlights & Basics
- Osteochondritis dissecans is an idiopathic lesion of subchondral bone.
- Majority of patients are adolescent or young adult athletes. Main joints involved include the knee, ankle, and radiocapitellar joint of the elbow. Bilateral in up to 25%.
- Variable presentation: traumatic or atraumatic, insidious onset, nonspecific joint pain, exacerbation of symptoms with exercise (especially stair- or hill-climbing), recurrent effusion, catching, or locking.
- Radiographs: minimum of two views of the involved joint (more specified for knee and ankle) performed for diagnosis.
- While the etiology remains unclear, early recognition is essential as many treatment options exist.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Tunnel view of osteochondritis dissecans
Preoperative radiograph with large osteochondritis lesion of the femoral condyle
Coronal MRI image of the talus showing an osteochondral lesion on the medial aspect of the talar dome
Sagittal magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the talus, showing an osteochondral lesion on the posterior aspect of the talar dome
Preoperative anteroposterior magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Preoperative lateral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with no articular cartilage involvement
Coronal magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the talus showing an osteochondral lesion on the medial aspect of the talar dome
After drilling of lesion, complete resolution (healing) of osteochondritis dissecans lesion
Healed osteochondritis dissecans
Healed osteochondritis dissecans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of knee demonstrating healing
Osteochondral lesion of medial talus
Healing after drilling of lesion
Citations
Kocher MS, Tucker R, Ganley TJ, et al. Management of osteochondritis dissecans of the knee: current concepts review. Am J Sports Med. 2006 Jul;34(7):1181-91.[Abstract]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Diagnosis and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans. Dec 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Perumal V, Wall E, Babekir N. Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the talus. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007 Oct-Nov;27(7):821-5.[Abstract]
Baker CL 3rd, Baker CL Jr, Romeo AA. Osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum. Am J Sports Med. 2010 Sep;38(9):1917-28.[Abstract]
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