osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

Etiology

• uncertain
• repetitive microtrauma & vascular factor(s) may contribute

Epidemiology

• disease is more common in active young individuals

Pathology

• bone disorder
• produces joint symptoms because of the intra-articular location of the abnormality
• most joints are affected, particularly
  • knee (distal femur)
  • ankle (dome of talus)
  • elbow (capitellum)
• in the knee, typically involves the medial aspect of the lateral condyle

Radiology

• seen on radiograph as a semicircular focus of bone & overlying cartilage separated from the convex articular surface of the native bone by a lucency
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is best for staging, to predict whether a fragment may become separated entirely, & establish a plan definitive treatment

More general terms

• osteochondritis

Patient information

osteochondritis dissecans patient information